Dictionary Entry
rub
rub is a 3-letter English word with 21 senses as transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun, and verb in the JumbleFix dictionary. One common meaning is: To subject (a body) to the action of something moving over its surface with pressure and friction, especially to the action of something moving back and forth; as, to rub the flesh with the hand; to rub wood with sandpaper. Face value is 5 in Scrabble and 7 in Words With Friends. Use the entries below when you need a playable sense, a nearby word, or another arrangement of the same letters.
3 letters · Scrabble 5 · Words With Friends 7 · 21 senses
Definitions
- 1transitive verb
To subject (a body) to the action of something moving over its surface with pressure and friction, especially to the action of something moving back and forth; as, to rub the flesh with the hand; to rub wood with sandpaper.
- 2transitive verb
To move over the surface of (a body) with pressure and friction; to graze; to chafe; as, the boat rubs the ground.
- 3transitive verb
To cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface; as, to rub the hand over the body.
- 4transitive verb
To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.
- 5transitive verb
To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; -- often with up or over; as, to rub up silver.
- 6transitive verb
To hinder; to cross; to thwart.
- 7intransitive verb
To move along the surface of a body with pressure; to grate; as, a wheel rubs against the gatepost.
- 8intransitive verb
To fret; to chafe; as, to rub upon a sore.
- 9intransitive verb
To move or pass with difficulty; as, to rub through woods, as huntsmen; to rub through the world.
- 10noun
The act of rubbing; friction.
- 11noun
That which rubs; that which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction hard to overcome; a pinch.
- 12noun
Inequality of surface, as of the ground in the game of bowls; unevenness.
- 13noun
Something grating to the feelings; sarcasm; joke; as, a hard rub.
- 14noun
Imperfection; failing; fault.
- 15noun
A chance.
- 16noun
A stone, commonly flat, used to sharpen cutting tools; a whetstone; -- called also rubstone.
- 17noun
the act of rubbing or wiping
"he gave the hood a quick rub"
Synonyms
- 18noun
an unforeseen obstacle
- 19verb
move over something with pressure
"rub my hands"
"rub oil into her skin"
- 20verb
cause friction
"my sweater scratches"
- 21verb
scrape or rub as if to relieve itching
"Don't scratch your insect bites!"
Synonyms
Anagrams
Other playable words that use exactly the letters in rub:
Common word forms
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