rubbish

[ ruhb-ish ]

noun

1. worthless, unwanted material that is rejected or thrown out; debris; litter; trash.
2. nonsense, as in writing or art:

   sentimental rubbish.

   Synonyms: bosh, drivel, balderdash, rot

rubbish

/ ˈrʌbɪʃ /

noun

1. worthless, useless, or unwanted matter
2. discarded or waste matter; refuse
3. foolish words or speech; nonsense

verb

1. informal.
   tr to criticize; attack verbally

Word History and Origins

Origin of rubbish¹

1350–1400; Middle English rubbes, rob ( b ) ous < ?; rubble

Word History and Origins

Origin of rubbish¹

C14 robys , of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

see good riddance (to bad rubbish) .

Example Sentences

When he first got into Hollywood, he did a screen test, he got rejected for being rubbish.

From Salon

They inhabit rubbish bins, compost heaps or any place where food is present, including drains.

From Salon

Rather, Geyrhalter’s keen, rigorous tableaux provoke us to think about the massive global industry required to deal with the rubbish we so casually generate in our everyday culture of disposability.

From New York Times

Even just disposing of fats, oils and grease into the rubbish and landfill is much better than tipping it down the sink.

From Salon

And I said, “I’m pulling the handle of a big slot machine, and I’m going to keep pulling it, because it’s going to pay the jackpot out soon. That’s why I’ve got a rubbish car.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• debris
• junk
• lumber
• rubble
• trash
• waste