What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rub
Example
She rubbed her hands together to warm them up. [rub: verb]
Example
I need to rub this stain out of my shirt. [rub: verb]
Example
He applied a rub to his sore muscles after the workout. [rub: noun]
scrub
Example
I need to scrub the bathroom floor to get rid of the grime. [scrub: verb]
Example
She scrubbed the pot until it was spotless. [scrub: verb]
Example
After working in the garden, I took a long scrub to wash off all the dirt. [scrub: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Rub is more commonly used than scrub in everyday language. Rub is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while scrub is more specific to cleaning and hygiene-related activities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rub and scrub?
Both rub and scrub are relatively informal words that can be used in casual conversations. However, rub can also be used in more formal contexts, such as when referring to polishing furniture or applying ointment to a patient.
