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rub

verb · noun

Simple meaning

To move while maintaining contact with another object over some area, with pressure and friction.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

ruhb
US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈɹʌb

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

verb

  1. transitive

    To move (one object) while maintaining contact with another object over some area, with pressure and friction.

  2. intransitive

    To be rubbed against something.

  3. Cause friction

  4. transitive

    To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.

  5. To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; often with up or over.

  6. To hinder; to cross; to thwart.

noun

  1. The act of rubbing or wiping

  2. A difficulty or problem.

  3. Any substance designed to be applied by rubbing.

  4. A mixture of spices applied to meat before it is barbecued.

  5. An unforeseen obstacle

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Moderately Common
Typical Use
Neutral / general English

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: To move (one object) while maintaining contact with another object over some area, with pressure and friction.

Used this way, rub is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Moderately common
Connotation
No strong connotation
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use rub

  • “Please rub some sunscreen on your arms before going out.”

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

back rubgently rub

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.