rub

[rʌb]

rub Definition

• 1. apply firm pressure to the surface of something using a repeated back-and-forth motion
• 2. cause (a part of one's body) to be in contact with something while moving it repeatedly backwards and forwards
• 3. move one's hand or a cloth repeatedly back and forth on the surface of (something)

Using rub: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "rub" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  She rubbed her hands together to warm them up.

• Example

  He rubbed his eyes and yawned.

• Example

  I rubbed the stain out of the carpet.

rub Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for rub

• massage
• polish
• buff
• wipe
• scrub

Antonyms for rub

• dirty
• stain

Phrases with rub

• rub someone up the wrong way

  to irritate or annoy someone

  Example

  His constant bragging really rubs me up the wrong way.

• rub salt in someone's wound

  to make someone's pain or disappointment even worse

  Example

  Telling him he was fired was bad enough, but then you had to rub salt in the wound by telling him he wouldn't get a severance package.

• rub elbows with someone

  to spend time with someone who is important or famous

  Example

  At the charity event, I got to rub elbows with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

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Summary: rub in Brief

The verb 'rub' [rʌb] means to apply firm pressure to the surface of something using a repeated back-and-forth motion. It can also mean to cause a part of one's body to be in contact with something while moving it repeatedly backwards and forwards. Examples include rubbing one's hands together to warm them up and rubbing a stain out of a carpet. Phrases include 'rub someone up the wrong way,' 'rub salt in someone's wound,' and 'rub elbows with someone.'