# tube

> English word · Noun · IPA /tuːb/ · frequency rank #3,915

## Definitions
1. Anything that is hollow and cylindrical in shape.
2. An approximately cylindrical container, usually with a crimped end and a screw top, used to contain and dispense semiliquid substances.
3. The London Underground railway system, originally referred to the lower level lines that ran in tubular tunnels as opposed to the higher ones which ran in rectangular section tunnels. (Often the tube.)
4. The London Underground railway system, originally referred to the lower level lines that ran in tubular tunnels as opposed to the higher ones which ran in rectangular section tunnels. (Often the tube.)
5. A tin can containing beer.
6. A wave which pitches forward when breaking, creating a hollow space inside.
7. A television. Compare cathode ray tube and picture tube.
8. An idiot.

## Etymology
From Middle French tube, from Latin tubus (“tube, pipe”), related to tuba (“long trumpet; war-trumpet”), of obscure ultimate origin, but possibly connected to tībia (“shinbone, reed-pipe”); see there. Doublet of tubus.

## Easily confused with
- **tug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tug)
- **Tue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tue)
- **tum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tum)
- **tun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tun)
- **tut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tut)
- **tux** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tux)
- **tui** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tui)
- **tur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tur)
- **tye** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tye)
- **TUC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tuc)
- **turn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-turn)
- **type** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-type)
- **tune** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tune)
- **turf** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-turf)
- **tuna** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tuna)
- **tuck** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tuck)
- **tyre** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tyre)
- **Turk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-turk)
- **Tyne** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-tyne)
- **turd** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/tube-vs-turd)

## Common misspellings (5)
`tbue`, `ttube`, `tubbe`, `tueb`, `utbe`

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