34 Interesting Words That End in B You Should Know

You might not think about it often, but some of the most familiar words have a -b ending. Whether you’re turning a doorknob, flipping a lightbulb, or resting your arm on a limb, these words are part of everyday life. Though words ending in b aren’t as common as other letter patterns, they have fascinating origins and uses.

Some come from Old English, while others have roots in Latin or Germanic languages. From short, simple terms to more unusual finds, exploring words that end in b can give you a fresh appreciation for language and how we use it.

A. Three-Letter Words Ending in B

Short words ending in -b are simple yet commonly used in daily life and informal speech:

1. Cob – A round loaf of bread; also refers to a male swan or a strong, short-legged horse.
2. Tab – A small, flat tag or label; also means an itemized bill in a restaurant or bar.
3. Hub – The central part of a wheel; also used to refer to the focal point of activity.
4. Nub – The crux or central point of a matter; a small lump or residual piece.
5. Reb – A shortened form of “rebel”; also a Yiddish term of respect for a Jewish leader.

B. Four-Letter Words Ending in B

Many four-letter words ending in -b relate to objects, body parts, or scientific terms:

1. Bulb – A rounded, often underground part of a plant that stores food (e.g., onion bulb); also refers to a lightbulb.
2. Limb – An arm, leg, or wing of an organism; a large branch of a tree.
3. Knob – A round handle or control switch; a small rounded protuberance.
4. Crib – A small bed with high sides for a baby; also slang for a house or dwelling.
5. Blob – A small, amorphous mass or drop of liquid or substance.
6. Slab – A thick, flat, and broad piece of stone, concrete, or other solid material.
7. Drab – Dull and uninteresting; lacking brightness or cheerfulness.
8. Flub – To make a mistake or error, especially in speech or performance.

C. Five-Letter Words Ending in B

These words are often action words, descriptive terms, or objects:

1. Scrub – To clean something vigorously; also refers to a small, stunted tree or a low-ranking person.
2. Climb – To ascend or move upward, typically by using one’s hands and feet.
3. Thumb – The short, thick first digit of the human hand; also means to flip through pages quickly.
4. Grumb – An archaic or dialectal form of “grumble,” meaning to complain in a low voice.
5. Squib – A small, usually defective firework; also a short, satirical or humorous writing.
6. Rhomb – A geometric shape with four equal sides but with opposite angles not necessarily 90 degrees.
7. Satib – A rarely used term with uncertain meaning, potentially derived from obsolete dialects.
8. Probb – An uncommon word, possibly an abbreviation or dialect term.

D. Six-Letter and Longer Words Ending in B

Longer words ending in -b tend to be less common and may have historical, scientific, or specialized meanings:

1. Hobnob – To socialize in a friendly or informal way, often with people of high status.
2. Scarab – A type of beetle, often associated with ancient Egyptian religious symbols.
3. Baobab – A type of large tree native to Africa and Australia, known for its thick trunk.
4. Backstab – To betray someone in a deceitful way, especially behind their back.
5. Beelzebub – A name often associated with the devil or a demon in biblical literature.
6. Enwomb – To enclose or surround something as if in a womb.
7. Overclimb – To climb over or surpass an obstacle.
8. Undergrub – To dig or burrow underneath something.
9. Seabob – A type of fish; also refers to fast underwater movement in some contexts.
10. Minilab – A small laboratory, often used for film development or scientific research.
11. Foreclimb – To climb ahead of others, leading the way.
12. Countergrub – A term with unclear meaning, possibly related to counteracting excavation or digging.
13. Heartthrob – A person, typically a celebrity, who is very attractive and admired.