Squab is a word with a few very differentnot the same; showing clear differences from other things meanings. It can describe someone or something that is short and round, refer to a young pigeon, mean the meat of a pigeon used as food, or name a soft paddedmade softer with filling inside for comfort or support sofaa comfortable long seat for several people.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /skwɑb/
Easy pronunciation: SKWAHB (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the single syllable.
Adjective meaning short and fat.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Squab Meaning
short and round in shape
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: short and fat
Example: The puppy was squab and clumsy, with tiny legs and a round body.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- squabby — A close adjective synonym for the shape or build sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Squab
Meaning 2
a young pigeon that cannot fly yet
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an unfledged pigeon
Example: A squab sat in the nest while its parents circled overhead.
Meaning 3
meat from a young pigeon, cooked as food
Part of speech: noun
Definition: flesh of a pigeon suitable for roasting or braising; flesh of a dove (young squab) may be broiled
Example: The restaurant served squab with herbs and roasted vegetables.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- dove — This appears in the source data, but it is not a true synonym for the meat sense in everyday use.
Meaning 4
a low, soft sofa or couch
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a soft padded sofa
Example: She curled up on the squab near the window and read for an hour.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Squab Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- squabby
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse squab the adjective meaning 'short and fat' with squab the noun for a young pigeon or pigeon meat.
- Do not assume squab always refers to food; it can also mean a young bird or a type of sofa.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does squab mean?
Squab can mean short and fat, a young pigeon, pigeon meat used for food, or a soft padded sofa, depending on the context.
What is the most common meaning of squab?
The most common everyday meaning in this data is the adjective meaning 'short and fat'.
Is squab a synonym for dove?
Not really. The source data links it to dove for one food-related sense, but dove is not a reliable general synonym for squab.
What is a squab in cooking?
In cooking, squab usually means the meat of a young pigeon, often roasted or braised.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
