First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1rub
verb \ˈrəb\
: to move something (such as your hand or an object) back and forth along the surface of (something) while pressing
: to move (two things) back and forth against each other
: to move back and forth many times against something in a way that causes pain or damage
rubbedrub·bing
Full Definition of RUB
intransitive verb
1
a : to move along the surface of a body with pressure : grate b (1) : to fret or chafe with or as if with friction (2) : to cause discontent, irritation, or anger
2
: to continue in a situation usually with slight difficulty <in spite of financial difficulties, he is rubbing along>
3
: to admit of being rubbed (as for erasure or obliteration)
transitive verb
1
a : to subject to or as if to the action of something moving especially back and forth with pressure and friction b (1) : to cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface (2) : to treat in any of various ways by rubbing c : to bring into reciprocal back-and-forth or rotary contact
2
— rub elbows or rub shoulders
: to associate closely : mingle
— rub one's nose in
: to bring forcefully or repeatedly to one's attention
— rub the wrong way
See rub defined for English-language learners
See rub defined for kids
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Origin of RUB
Middle English rubben; akin to East Frisian rubben to rub, scrape, Icelandic rubba to scrape
2rub
noun
: an act of rubbing a surface with your hands or an object
the rub : something that causes a difficulty or problem
: a combination of spices that is rubbed into the surface of meat before the meat is cooked
Full Definition of RUB
1
a : an unevenness of surface (as of the ground in lawn bowling) b : obstruction, difficulty <the rub is that so few of the scholars have any sense of this truth themselves — Benjamin Farrington> c : something grating to the feelings (as a gibe or harsh criticism) d : something that mars serenity
2
: the application of friction with pressure <an alcohol rub>
See rub defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of RUB
1586
Related to RUB
- Synonyms
- aggravation, aggro [British], bother, botheration, bugbear, exasperation, frustration, hair shirt, hassle, headache, inconvenience, irk, irritant, nuisance, peeve, pest, annoyance, ruffle, thorn, trial, vexation
RUB THE WRONG WAY Defined for Kids
1rub
verb \ˈrəb\
rubbedrub·bing
Definition of RUB for Kids
1
: to move along the surface of something with pressure <Kitty rubbed against my legs.>
2
: to move back and forth against something in a way that causes pain or damage <The back of my shoe is rubbing against my heel.>
3
: to scour, polish, or smear by pressure and friction <He rubbed oil on the wood.>
— rub elbows with
: to meet and talk with in a friendly way <Stink got to rub elbows with the president … — Megan McDonald, Judy Moody>
— rub in
: to keep reminding someone of (something unpleasant) <I know I looked silly. Don't rub it in.>
— rub off
: to come off a surface and often stick to another surface by rubbing <The ink rubbed off on my fingers.>
— rub the wrong way
: to cause to be angry : irritate
2rub
noun
Definition of RUB for Kids
1
: the act of rubbing <a back rub>
2
: something that causes a problem
Medical Dictionary
rub
noun \ˈrəb\
Medical Definition of RUB
1
: the application of friction with pressure <an alcohol rub>
2
: a sound heard in auscultation that is produced by the friction of one structure moving against another
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