PHUBBING
What Does Phubbing Mean in a Text?
Phubbing means "Ignoring Someone by Looking at Your Phone.""Phubbing" is a term that combines the words "phone" and "snubbing." It refers to the act of ignoring someone in a social setting by looking at your phone instead of paying attention to the person. For example:
-
Imagine you're at a café catching up with a friend. You are sharing a story about a recent trip you took, but your friend is constantly checking their phone, responding to messages, and browsing through social media feeds. They're nodding their head periodically, but it's clear that they aren't fully listening or engaged in your story.
"Phubbing" was first popularized in the early 2010s and reflects the increasing prevalence of smartphones in daily life and social interactions. It is considered rude or dismissive and can undermine personal relationships. "Phubbing" implies that whatever is happening on the phone is more important or interesting than the person trying to communicate.
Image for Phubbing
When I write Phubbing, I mean this:
Phubbing combines the words "phone" and "snubbing."
Summary of Key Points
"Ignoring Someone by Looking at Your Phone" is the most common definition for Phubbing on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.Phubbing | |
---|---|
Definition: | Ignoring Someone by Looking at Your Phone |
Type: | Word |
Guessability: | 4: Difficult to guess |
Typical Users: | Adults and Teenagers |
An Academic Look at Phubbing
As it is formed by merging two words into one, phubbing is a portmanteau word. It is a combination of the words phone and snubbing (as in "deliberately ignoring someone.")Phubbing can also be considered a neologism (i.e., a newly coined word or term which has emerged into everyday usage). Some neologisms are formally accepted into mainstream language (at which point, they cease to be neologisms), and some wither until they can longer be considered everyday terms. A neologism can be:
- A completely new word (e.g., oversharing).
- A new combination of existing words (e.g., phubbing, digital detox).
- A new meaning for an existing word (e.g., sick).
Example of Phubbing Used in a Text
Phubbing
Help Us Improve Cyber Definitions
- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?
- Do you know a slang term that we've missed?
See Also
CELLY (mobile phone) CMB (call me back) CML (call me later) NOMOPHOBIA (no mobile phone phobia) POCKET DIAL (accidentally make a call with the phone in your pocket)Quiz
Try our fun quiz to test your knowledge of slang and texting abbreviations.Gold
Silver
Bronze
0
- This test has questions.
- A correct answer is worth 5 points.
- You can get up to 5 bonus points for a speedy answer.
- Some questions demand more than one answer. You must get every part right.
- Beware! Wrong answers score 0 points.
- 🏆 If you beat one of the top 3 scores, you will be invited to apply for the Hall of Fame.
Scoring System
Cyber Guru (+)
Cyber Hero (+)
Cyber Captain (+)
Cyber Sergeant (+)
Cyber Recruit (+)
Cyber Guru (+)
Cyber Hero (+)
Cyber Captain (+)
Cyber Sergeant (+)
Cyber Recruit (+)