chubby meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

chubby

adj

/ˈt͡ʃʌbi/ · [ˈt͡ʃʰʌ̈bi]

Etymology Recorded since 1611, from chub (“short, thick fish species used as bait"; used metaphorically since 1558 for "lazy person”), an assibilated form of cub (“a lump, heap, mass”) and cob, from Middle English *cubbe (found only in derivative cubbel (“a block to which an animal is tethered”)), from Old Norse kubbr, kumbr (“block, stump, log”) and/or Old Norse kumben (“stumpy”), equivalent to chub + -y. Cognate with dialectal Swedish kubbug (“fat, plump, chubby”). More at chub.

Of a person: slightly overweight, somewhat fat, and hence plump, rounded, and soft.

Obviously the chubby child was eating too much.
Slowly Skye wrapped her arms around the chubby woman's frame and rested her head on Rita's chest drenched with perspiration.2010, Marsha Hubler, The Long Ride Home, Zonderkidz, →ISBN, page 97:

Of a body part: containing a moderate amount of fat.

It’s quite normal for babies to have chubby cheeks.
The servant to whom he put this question was a young fellow with chubby cheeks, small, dull eyes, and a round chin, covered with a colorless down.1867, Ivan Sergheïevitch Turgenef [i.e., Ivan Turgenev], chapter I, in Eugene Schuyler, transl., Fathers and Sons […], New York, N.Y.: Leypoldt and Holt, →OCLC, page 1:

Derived terms: chubber, chubbily, chubbiness, chubby bunny

chubby

noun

A chubby, plump person.

Today there is no color or fabric that is out for girl or teen chubbies. Plaids, big, bold block designs, dark or light grounds, heavy textured wools, fleeces and brilliant colors of red, kelly or green, odd or off shades of rust, lavender, and other colors in the fashion cycle are now adapted in designing. Designers themselves have learned that the chubby is more truly eager for a fashionable dress[…]1947, Girls' and Teens' Merchandiser: The National Trade Magazine for the Girls' and Teens' Industrypage=31:
The chubby is the girl who cannot be fitted in the regular 7 to 14 size range because she is too stout. Sizes for these girls are 7*4 to 141/^, and are specially styled and designed to give them better proportions.1949, R. Duffy Lewis, Dorothy Stote, How to build an infant's, girls' and teens' wear business: a manual for retailers and prospective shop owners:

1 more example

The chubby is especially taken for granted: "Hey, can you watch my purse while I dance?"2007, Jackie Guerra, Under Construction: How I've Gained and Lost Millions of Dollars and Hundreds of Pounds, New American Library, →ISBN:

LGBT Slang An overweight or obese gay man.

Slang A penile erection, especially when short and with a large circumference; a boner.

Hey, Lucius, I just wanted to share a piece of personal information with you. I've got a... a chubby right now because [starts screaming] This is one of the most awesome experiences of my life!2006, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby:

A type of thickly-padded fur jacket.

Derived terms: chub, chubby chaser