WordGarden.iodub
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /dˈʌb/
US
- /ˈdəb/
Meanings
Verb
to give someone or something a name, title, or label
to add or replace recorded speech or sound, especially translated dialogue
Noun
a dubbed soundtrack or translated version of a film, show, or video
a reggae-derived style of music with remixing, bass, and echo effects
(slang)a win or victory
Beyond the definition
To "dub" something means to give it a new name or label, like when a king or queen names someone "Sir" in a ceremony. Beyond titles, it also has a clear meaning in film and audio work. When a movie is made in one language, it is often dubbed into others by replacing the original dialogue with new voices, so more people can follow it. You can also "dub" a song onto a mixtape, which means copying the audio from one source to another.
The word comes from an old sense meaning "to strike," which links to the act of knighting, where a person was touched with a sword. Whether you are giving a title or adding new voices to a film, the idea is still about giving something a new name, sound, or identity.
The word "dub" carries several distinct meanings, spanning from ancient ceremonial naming to modern digital technology. Originally, to "dub" meant to formally name or rank someone—most famously, to knight them. Imagine a medieval ceremony where a king dubs a brave warrior with the title of "Sir." This sense of bestowing a new identity remains at the heart of the word's meaning.
In modern usage, however, "dub" is most frequently associated with audio and video production. To dub a film means to replace the original sound or dialogue with a different version, usually translated into another language. For instance, "The movie was dubbed into Spanish for Latin American audiences." This intricate process involves recording new voices that are timed to match the lip movements of the actors on screen.
Furthermore, "dub" can refer to the act of copying audio, such as transferring a song to a mixtape or making another recorded version. In this context, it means to copy or transfer sound from one medium to another. More informally, it can also mean to give someone or something a nickname or label. For example, "His friends dubbed him 'The Maestro' because of his musical talent."
So, whether you're witnessing a royal ceremony, watching a foreign film with translated audio, or giving a friend a playful nickname, "dub" is the go-to word for assigning a new name, voice, or identity.
Examples
- 1
Nickname
His teammates dubbed him Rocket because he could outrun everyone.
- 2
Public label
The local paper dubbed the new library "the living room of the city."
- 3
Critical judgment
Some experts have already dubbed the project a failure.
- 4
Audio translation
The series was dubbed into English before it was released online.
- Patterndub something into + language
replace the original voices with voices in that language
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Translated version
I watched the dubbed version because I didn't want to read subtitles.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dubverbnoun
Forms
- dubbedpast tenseverbnoun
- dubsverbnoun
- dubbing-ing formverbnoun