rub Hear it!

rub definition

rub (rub)

transitive verb rubbed, rubbing rub′·bing

  1. to move one's hand, a cloth, etc. over (a surface or object) with pressure and friction, in a circular or back-and-forth motion
  2. to move (one's hand, a cloth, etc.) over, or spread or apply (polish, etc.) on or over, a surface or object in this way
  3. to move (a thing) against something else, or move (things) over each other with pressure and friction: often followed by together, etc.
  4. to apply pressure and friction to, for cleaning, polishing, smoothing, etc.
  5. to put into a specified condition by applying pressure and friction to rub oneself dry
  6. to make sore or chafed by rubbing
  7. to force, cause to go, etc. (in, into, etc.) by rubbing
  8. to remove by rubbing (out, off, away, etc.)

Etymology: ME rubben, akin to Dan rubbe, EFris rubben < IE *reup-, to tear out < base *reu-, to dig, tear out > rob, rip, rug, rubble, L rumpere, to break

intransitive verb

  1. to move with pressure and friction (on, against, etc.) the tire rubbing against the fender
  2. to rub something; exert pressure and friction on something
  3. to admit of being rubbed or removed by rubbing: often with off, out, etc.
  4. to arouse anger or irritation

noun

  1. the act or an instance of rubbing; specif., a massage
  2. an obstacle, hindrance, or difficulty
  3. a place or spot that has been rubbed until rough or sore
  4. something that irritates, annoys, offends, etc., as a jeer or rebuke
rub Idioms

rub along

or rub on or rub through
Chiefly Brit. to manage or keep going in spite of difficulties

rub down

  1. to massage
  2. to smooth, polish, wear down, etc. by rubbing

rub elbows with

to associate or mingle with (famous or prominent people, etc.)

rub it in

Slang to keep on mentioning to someone his or her failure or mistake, often with some malice

rub off on

to be left on (something or someone) as a mark, as by rubbing or, figuratively, by close contact

rub out

  1. to erase or be erased by rubbing
  2. Slang to kill or murder

rub the wrong way

to be annoying, irritating, etc. to

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.
Related Discussions (1)
TopicRepliesLatest Post
Rub the rock96 years ago

Browse Forums