# fob

> English word · Noun · IPA /fɒb/ · frequency rank #25,388

## Definitions
1. A little pocket near the waistline of a pair of trousers or in a waistcoat or vest to hold money or valuables, especially a pocket watch.
2. A short chain or ribbon to connect such a pocket to the watch.
3. A small ornament attached to such a chain.
4. A hand-held electronic device that can be used as a remote control or as a key to unlock motor cars, doors, etc., and thus, modern car keys.

## Etymology
From Low German Fobke (“pocket”) or High Prussian Fuppe (“pocket”), probably related to Swedish ficka (“pocket”), Old Danish fikke, Alemannic German figge, Middle Dutch vicke, all from Proto-Germanic *fikkja, of uncertain ultimate origin:
* possibly from Proto-Indo-European *pewǵ- (“to assail, strike”), related to *fukkōną (“to strike”);
* or of Romance origin, from Latin figere (“to fix, fasten”), possibly via an old form of Italian ficcare.
Also see Ficke.

## Easily confused with
- **fu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fu)
- **FS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fs)
- **FP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fp)
- **FW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fw)
- **fy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fy)
- **for** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-for)
- **fun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fun)
- **fox** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fox)
- **fur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fur)
- **fog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fog)
- **fry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fry)
- **FYI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fyi)
- **foe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-foe)
- **foo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-foo)
- **fro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fro)
- **FTC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-ftc)
- **FSA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fsa)
- **fra** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fra)
- **FTP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-ftp)
- **FTA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/fob-vs-fta)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/fob