Stubble: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically refers to very short facial hair that appears when a man hasn’t shaved for a few days. Commonly seen as a casual or rugged look.

• John decided to keep his stubble for the weekend to try a more relaxed look.
• After three days without shaving, Mark's face had a noticeable stubble.

Specifically highlights the initial stages of a beard, giving a casual impression, often before it develops into a full beard.

• He’s growing his beard stubble out for the No-Shave November event.
• Even with just beard stubble, he already looked different.

A general term that includes all types of hair growing on the face, such as beards, mustaches, or sideburns. It can be used in both casual and formal conversations.

• Different styles of facial hair have become popular among young men.
• He preferred clean-shaving, but lately, he’s been experimenting with facial hair.

Refers to the short, stiff stalks of grain or hay remaining in a field after the main harvest has been done. It often gives a rugged look to the field.

• After the wheat was harvested, the stubble was left in the field.
• Walking through the stubble is quite tough because of its shadiness.

General term for the leaves, stalks, and roots left in the field after harvesting any crop. It is often used in agricultural and ecological contexts to discuss soil health and composting.

• Farmers ploughed the crop residue back into the soil to improve its fertility.
• The study focused on how crop residue affects soil moisture content.

Dry stalks of cereal plants like wheat and barley, often used for animal bedding, mulching plants, or even in construction for thatched roofs. Unlike stubble, straw is often collected and utilized separately from the field.

• The barn was filled with bales of straw for the animals.
• Gardeners often use straw as mulch to keep the soil moist.

Use this word when referring to short, coarse hair that remains after shaving or the remains of plants in a field after the crop has been harvested.

• He had a day's worth of stubble on his face.
• The field was covered in stubble after the harvest.

Use this phrase when talking about the small amount of something that remains after the main part has been taken or used. This phrase is often used in scientific or cleaning contexts.

• The cleaner left residue on the surface.
• The chemical reaction leaves a residue that needs to be removed.

Use this phrase when discussing agricultural practices where the soil is not turned over, often to prevent soil erosion or to retain moisture.

• Farmers sometimes choose to not plow the land to conserve water.
• By deciding to not plow, they are helping to sustain the environment.