American Dictionary

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Definition rub in American English

rub verb

verb
/rʌb/

▪ briskly, gently, hard, lightly, vigorously

1

to press and move your hands or an object over a surface

Example

The boy rubbed his eyes sleepily.

Example

Rub the skins of the peppers off when they have softened.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to move something such as a cloth backward and forward across a surface to clean it, dry it, or make it smooth

Example

He rubbed the dirt off the license plate with his sleeve.

Synonyms and related words
1.2

to move your hand backward and forward across a part of someone's body while pressing firmly, especially because that part of the body hurts

Example

Scott gently rubbed her back until the pain went away.

Synonyms and related words
2

to press and move one object against another or against a surface

Example

Rub your hands together, it will help you to stay warm.

Example

The cat rubbed its cheek against my leg.

Synonyms and related words
2.1

to press and move against an object or a surface

Example

The cow rubbed against the fence.

Synonyms and related words
2.2

to hurt or damage something by continuously pressing and moving against it

Example

Cindy's new shoes were rubbing and giving her blisters.

Synonyms and related words
3

to spread a liquid or substance onto the surface of something

Example

She rubbed some tanning oil on his back.

Example

Rub the chicken with garlic before putting it in the oven.

Synonyms and related words
Definition rub in American English