Rub
/rʌb/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo move your hand or something else back and forth on a surface, applying pressure.
/rʌb/
To move one's hand or another object repeatedly over a surface with pressure and friction.
He rubbed the lotion into his skin.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to get something off your skin, like sand. You'd rub the area to get rid of it. That's what 'rub' means! Like when you rub your sleepy eyes, you're using your hand to gently move across the surface.
👶 For kids: To move your hand over something, like when you rub your tummy!
More Examples
The cat rubbed against my legs.
She was rubbing her temples, trying to remember the answer.
How It's Used
"She rubbed her eyes to wake up."
"The therapist rubbed the patient's sore muscles."
An act of applying pressure and friction to a surface.
/rʌb/
The act of rubbing or the application of pressure and friction.
He gave his sore shoulder a quick rub.
💡 Simply: Think of it like giving someone a little massage. That's a rub! If you have a sore spot, you might give it a rub to make it feel better.
👶 For kids: When you give something a little scratch or massage.
More Examples
The massage therapist performed a relaxing rub on my back.
A gentle rub with the cloth removed the dirt.
How It's Used
"He gave his leg a quick rub after the game."
"She applied a gentle rub to soothe her headache."
A difficulty or obstacle; a disadvantage.
/rʌb/
A difficulty or problem.
The rub is that we don't have enough money.
💡 Simply: Sometimes things aren't perfect and there's a catch or a problem. That's the 'rub'! It's like when something doesn't quite work out the way you hoped it would.
👶 For kids: A problem or something not so good.
More Examples
The rub in the plan is the lack of funding.
There's always a rub when it comes to these types of decisions.
How It's Used
"There's always a rub, isn't there?"
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
rub someone the wrong way
To annoy or irritate someone.
"His constant complaining really rubs me the wrong way."
rub salt in the wound
To make a bad situation even worse by doing something that causes more pain or makes someone feel more upset.
"Telling her about the promotion was like rubbing salt in the wound after she was fired."
there's the rub
This is the main difficulty or problem.
"I'd love to go, but there's the rub – I have to work."
From Middle English rubben, probably from Old French *rober* ('to rob, steal'), though its exact origin is uncertain. Related to Middle Dutch *rubben* ('to rub').
The word has been used since Middle English, initially referring to a physical act.
Memory tip
Think of when you rub your hands together to warm them up.
Word Origin
"To move with friction."