Dictionary
Rube Goldberg
adjective Rube Gold·berg \ˈrüb-ˈgōl(d)-ˌbərg\
: doing something simple in a very complicated way that is not necessary
Full Definition of RUBE GOLDBERG
: accomplishing by complex means what seemingly could be done simply <a kind of Rube Goldberg contraption … with five hundred moving parts — L. T. Grant>; also : characterized by such complex means
See Rube Goldberg defined for English-language learners
Variants of RUBE GOLDBERG
Rube Gold·berg also Rube Gold·berg·i·an \-ˌbər-gē-ən, -ˌbərg-yən\
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of RUBE GOLDBERG
Reuben (Rube) L. Goldberg †1970 American cartoonist
First Known Use: 1931
Rhymes with RUBE GOLDBERG
Brandenburg, Drakensberg, Duisburg, Fredericksburg, Gaithersburg, Gettysburg, Godesberg, Gutenberg, Hardenberg, Harrisburg, Hattiesburg, Heidelberg, Heisenberg, inselberg, Königsberg, Lederberg, Luxembourg, Magdeburg, Mecklenburg, Mühlenberg, Münsterberg, Nuremberg, Orenburg, Regensburg, Spartanburg, Starhemberg, Toggenburg, Vandenberg, Venusberg, Vorarlberg, Wallenberg, Williamsburg, Württemberg
Learn More About RUBE GOLDBERG
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: rubelPrevious Word in the Dictionary: rubefacient All Words Near: Rube Goldberg
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up Rube Goldberg? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).