rub
gb/ɹˈʌb/ us/ɹˈʌb/
A2
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Press and move across a surface
To move your hand or something else over a surface with some pressure.
Usage pattern:
to rub [something] with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rub' with 'scrub'. 'Rub' can be gentle or firm, while 'scrub' is usually strong and for cleaning.
Synonyms
scrub (Implies more force or effort, often for cleaning.)
Antonyms
pat (Means to touch lightly without moving back and forth.)
Collocations
rub gently
|rub hard
|rub together
|rub off
|rub against
Themes
daily life
|body
|cleaning
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She rubbed the table with a cloth until it shone.
- He rubbed his eyes because he was tired.
- Rub the ointment into your skin twice a day.
- The cat rubbed its head against my leg.
- I rubbed my hands together to warm them.
Learner examples
- I rub my hands when they are cold.
- She rubs the window with a cloth.
- Rub the cream on your arm.
- The boy rubs his eyes when he is sleepy.
Noun
B1
action
2
An act of rubbing
The action of moving something over a surface with pressure.
Synonyms
massage (A more specific kind of rubbing, usually for relaxation or therapy.)
Antonyms
tap (A quick, light touch without movement.)
Collocations
give a rub
|gentle rub
|back rub
Themes
daily life
|body
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She gave the countertop a quick rub.
- He offered her shoulders a gentle rub.
- The car's paint came up shiny after a good rub.
Learner examples
- I give the table a rub.
- She gave me a rub on my back.
- The cloth needs a rub to get clean.
Verb
B1
action
3
Remove by rubbing
To take something off by moving over it with pressure.
Usage pattern:
to rub [something] off/from [something]
Synonyms
erase (Specifically used for removing writing or marks.)
Antonyms
apply (To put something on rather than remove it.)
Collocations
rub off dirt
|rub out marks
|rub away
Themes
daily life
|cleaning
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She rubbed the stain out of the fabric.
- Rub the old paint off before applying new paint.
- He rubbed the chalk from the board.
Learner examples
- Rub the dirt off your shoes.
- I rub the mark from the wall.
- She rubs the paint off the chair.
Noun
B1
entity
4
Seasoning mixture for food
A mix of spices that you put on meat or other food before cooking.
Synonyms
seasoning mix (General term for spice combinations; not always applied by rubbing.)
Collocations
dry rub
|spice rub
Themes
food
|cooking
|food_drink
Examples
- The chef prepared a dry rub for the ribs.
- This barbecue rub has paprika and garlic powder.
- Apply the spice rub evenly before grilling.
Learner examples
- Put the rub on the chicken before cooking.
- The cook makes a dry rub for the meat.
- I use a rub with salt and pepper.
Noun
B2
entity
5
Problem or difficulty
A small problem that makes something harder than expected.
Synonyms
snag (Informal term for an unexpected problem.)
Antonyms
advantage (A factor that helps rather than hinders.)
Collocations
here's the rub
Themes
problems
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We could go now, but here's the rub—we don't have enough gas.
- The project looks good, but the rub is finding enough funding.
- That's the rub: we can't get everyone to agree.
Learner examples
- We can go, but here is the rub: no money.
- It is a good plan, but the rub is time.
- Here is the rub: he will not help.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rub
IPA
GB/ɹˈʌb/
US/ɹˈʌb/
Syllables & stress
rub (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rub)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rub
Verb
- Base: rub
- 3rd Person Singular: rubs
- Present Participle: rubbing
- Past: rubbed
Word family
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: rubbing Verb
- Irregular past: rubbed Verb
Expressions
rub along
1/ɹˈʌb əlˈɔŋ/
phrasal verb
informal
Manage or coexist despite difficulties
To live or work together without serious problems, even if not perfectly.
Examples
- We just rub along together despite our differences.
- The two teams managed to rub along until the project was done.
rub elbows with
1/ɹˈʌb ˈɛlboʊz wˈɪθ/
idiom
informal
Socialize with certain people
To meet and talk with important or famous people socially.
Examples
- At the gala, she rubbed elbows with celebrities.
- He enjoys rubbing elbows with politicians.
rub in
1/ɹˈʌb ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Apply substance or emphasize someone's mistake
To put cream or another substance into skin by rubbing; or to keep talking about someone's mistake to make them feel bad.
Examples
- Rub in the lotion until it disappears.
- You don’t have to rub it in—I know I made a mistake.
rub out
1/ɹˈʌb ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Erase marks or kill someone (slang)
To remove writing or marks by rubbing, or (in slang) to kill someone.
Examples
- Rub out the pencil lines before you ink the drawing.
- In old gangster movies, 'rub out' means to kill someone.
rub someone the wrong way
1/ɹˈʌb sˈʌmwˌʌn ðə ɹˈɔŋ wˈeɪ/
idiom
informal
Annoy someone unintentionally
To make someone feel annoyed without meaning to.
Examples
- His arrogant attitude rubbed me the wrong way.
- His jokes really rub me the wrong way sometimes.
- She tends to rub people the wrong way when she’s stressed.
- I think I rubbed her the wrong way when I disagreed.