nub

UK: /nʌb/ US: /nʌb/ ,(nub)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

nub /nʌb/   n. [countable]

1. the main point or heart of something;
   gist:
   [usually singular] The nub of the matter is money.
2. a knob;
   a lump or small piece.

nub•by, adj., -bi•er, -bi•est. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

nub  (nub), n. 

1. the point, gist, or heart of something.
2. a knob or protuberance.
3. a lump or small piece:
   a nub of coal; a nub of pencil.
4. Textiles a small mass of fibers produced on a card, dyed brilliant colors, and introduced into yarn during the spinning process.

Also, knub. 

• Low German, Middle Low German knubbe; compare knob
• 1585–95

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

nub / nʌb/ noun

1. a small lump or protuberance
2. a small piece or chunk
3. the point or gist: the nub of a story

Etymology: 16th Century: variant of knub, from Middle Low German knubbe knob

ˈnubbly adjective