Definition
A beginner or someone who's bad at something. Derived from 'newbie' via early internet chat rooms and online gaming (sometimes spelled 'n00b' with zeros). Used as a mild insult for anyone who doesn't know what they're doing, gaming or otherwise. Your kid might call you a noob for not knowing how to airdrop a photo.
Translation for Parents
They're calling someone inexperienced or bad at something. It's not a vicious insult, more like calling someone a rookie. If they call YOU a noob, they're saying you don't know what you're doing. Which, to be fair, might be accurate if you're trying to set up the Nintendo Switch.
Examples
“he doesn't know how to use google docs he's such a noob”
“He doesn't know how to use Google Docs, he's such a beginner”
“don't be a noob just look it up”
“Don't be clueless, just search for it”
Cringe Score
Your kid will cringe
This word is older than some of the kids using it. It's been in the internet vocabulary since the early 2000s. Using it as a parent is acceptable but marks you as 'aware of the internet circa 2005,' which is at least something.
Category
insult
Peak
2008-01
Last Verified
2026-02-26
Sources
editorial, urban_dictionary