Stubby describes something that is short, thick, and often a bit blunt or rounded at the end. A stubby pencil is one that's been sharpened so many times it's now just a few inches long. A person might have stubby fingers that are short and wide rather than long and slender.

The word often applies to things that were once longer but have been worn down or used up, like a stubby candle that's burned most of the way or a stubby crayon that's seen lots of coloring. But some things are naturally stubby, like a bulldog's stubby legs or the stubby tail of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

Stubby isn't usually insulting. It's more descriptive than critical, with a hint of something cute or endearing about it. A toddler's stubby fingers grabbing at toys, or your little brother's stubby legs running to catch up: these images feel affectionate. The word captures the quality of something being compact and solid rather than graceful and elongated.