rub

[ ruhb ]

verb (used with object)

, rubbed, rub·bing.

1. to subject the surface of (a thing or person) to pressure and friction, as in cleaning, smoothing, polishing, coating, massaging, or soothing:

   to rub a table top with wax polish; to rub the entire back area.

2. to move (something) back and forth or with a rotary motion, as against or along another surface:

   to rub the cloth over the glass pane.

3. to spread or apply (something) with pressure and friction over something else or a person:

   to rub lotion on her chapped hands.

4. to move (two things) with pressure and friction over or back and forth over each other (often followed by together ):

   He rubbed his hands together.

5. to mark, polish, force, move, etc. (something) by pressure and friction (often followed by over, in, or into ).
6. to remove by pressure and friction; erase (often followed by off or out ).

verb (used without object)

, rubbed, rub·bing.

1. to exert pressure and friction on something.
2. to move with pressure against something.
3. to admit of being rubbed in a specified manner:

   Chalk rubs off easily.

4. Chiefly British. to proceed, continue in a course, or keep going with effort or difficulty (usually followed by on, along, or through ):

   He manages to rub along.

noun

1. an act or instance of rubbing:

   an alcohol rub.

2. something that annoys or irritates one's feelings, as a sharp criticism, a sarcastic remark, or the like:

   to resent rubs concerning one's character.

3. an annoying experience or circumstance.
4. an obstacle, impediment, or difficulty:

   We'd like to travel, but the rub is that we have no money.

   Synonyms: pinch, trouble, thing, catch, hitch

5. a rough or abraded area caused by rubbing.

verb phrase

1. 1. to smooth off, polish, or apply a coating to:

      to rub a chair down with sandpaper.

   2. to give a massage to.
2. 1. to obliterate; erase.
   2. Slang. to murder:

      They rubbed him out before he could get to the police.

3. to become transferred or communicated to by example or association:

   Some of his good luck must have rubbed off on me.

rub

/ rʌb /

verb

1. to apply pressure and friction to (something) with a circular or backward and forward motion
2. to move (something) with pressure along, over, or against (a surface)
3. to chafe or fray
4. tr to bring into a certain condition by rubbing

   rub it clean

5. tr to spread with pressure, esp in order to cause to be absorbed

   he rubbed ointment into his back

6. tr to mix (fat) into flour with the fingertips, as in making pastry
7. foll byoff, out, away, etc to remove or be removed by rubbing
8. bowls (of a bowl) to be slowed or deflected by an uneven patch on the green
9. troften foll bytogether to move against each other with pressure and friction (esp in the phrases rub one's hands , often a sign of glee, anticipation, or satisfaction, and rub noses , a greeting among Inuit people)
10. rub someone's nose in it informal.
    to remind someone unkindly of his failing or error
11. rub up the wrong way
    to arouse anger (in); annoy
12. rub shoulders with or rub elbows with informal.
    to mix with socially or associate with

noun

1. the act of rubbing
2. the rub
   an obstacle or difficulty (esp in the phrase there's the rub )
3. something that hurts the feelings or annoys; rebuke
4. bowls an uneven patch in the green
5. any roughness or unevenness of surface
6. 1. golf an incident of accidental interference with the ball
   2. a piece of good or bad luck

Other Words From

• un·rubbed adjective
• well-rubbed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rub¹

1300–50; 1860–65 rub fordef 18b; Middle English rubben (v.); cognate with Frisian rubben, Danish rubbe, Swedish rubba

Word History and Origins

Origin of rub¹

C15: perhaps from Low German rubben , of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. rub it in, Informal. to emphasize or reiterate something unpleasant in order to tease or annoy:

   The situation was embarrassing enough without having you rub it in.

2. rub the wrong way, to irritate; offend; annoy:

   a manner that seemed to rub everyone the wrong way.

3. rub up, British Informal. to refresh one's memory of (a subject, language, etc.).
4. rub salt in / into someone's wounds. salt ¹( def 23 ).

More idioms and phrases containing rub

• the rub

Example Sentences

If the worker was exposed by a splash of contaminated milk to the eye, or a rub of the eye with a contaminated glove, the virus may have been stalled out — unable to replicate like it could have had the worker been exposed via inhalation.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re the stains you can’t rub out, the holes around the collar, the crease marks forever etched into fabric.

From Los Angeles Times

Even the museum’s description, which describes Rub Kandy’s creations have “huge eyes that see everything,” is mildly creepy.

From Los Angeles Times

The balm also kept my lips moisturized and prevented any chafing where my legs rub together.

From Los Angeles Times

The dry rub is for Alta Adams’ brisket as well as the ribs at recently opened Locol.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apply
• brush
• caress
• clean
• coat
• cover
• glaze
• graze
• grind
• knead
• paint
• pat
• scrape
• scrub
• slather
• smear
• smooth
• spread
• wear
• wipe