Word
tubular
Phoneticstubu·lar
US/ˈtubjəɫɝ/
UK/tjˈuːbjʊlɐ/
Definitions
01shaped like a tube
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having the shape of a long, hollow pipe or cylinder.
adj. having the form or shape of a tube; cylindrical and typically hollow.
“The bike frame is made from strong tubular steel to keep it light.”
“The modern office building featured a striking tubular glass exterior that allowed natural light to reach the central atrium from every angle.”
Synonyms
02cool or excellent
C2 · Proficiency American English · Slang · Archaic
adj. an old-fashioned way to say something is very good or exciting.
adj. a slang term used to express approval or excitement, specifically associated with 1980s American youth culture.
“That wave was totally tubular, man.”
“The film used 'tubular' and other period-specific slang to parody the exaggerated surfer subculture of the mid-1980s.”
Teaching tip
This sense is very dated and mostly used today to joke about 1980s surfer stereotypes; learners should avoid using it in serious conversation.
Real-World Examples
“Six years later, he unveiled a lightweight " Soybean Car ," built from 14 soy-derived plastic panels attached to a tubular steel frame.” “We specifically focused on the tubular fossil Conotubus that lived during the Ediacaran period, which extends from approximately 635 million to 541 million years ago.” Etymology
From Latin tubulus + -ar. By surface analysis, tubule + -ar. The sense meaning "cool" or "awesome" is believed to be a figurative extension originating in surfing lingo, from the way that an excellent wave encloses a surfer within tubular walls of water.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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