DictionarystubPainful accidental strike
verb

stub

To accidentally strike a toe against something hard.

She stubs her toe on a chair leg and winces.

Etymology

A stub is a short hard projection or stump. Stubbing a toe describes hitting it against such an obstacle.

More examples

  • I stubbed my big toe on the doorstep.
  • Watch out for that rock—you could stub your toe.
  • He keeps stubbing his toes on the coffee table.

Forms

stub · stubs · stubbed · stubbing

Similar words

bang
Suggests a forceful hit, not necessarily involving a toe.
bump
Can describe a lighter collision involving any body part.