American English
/ɹəbz/
One syllable.
Related entry: rub
to move your hand, a cloth, or another object back and forth over a surface
Practice out loudto move your hand, a cloth, or another object back and forth over a surface
Rub the table with a clean cloth.
She rubbed her eyes after waking up.
rub your eyes · rub your hands together · rub your back
rub + something
rub + something + with + something
to move against something while pressing on it, often causing pain or damage
These shoes rub against my heel.
The strap rubbed her neck raw.
rub against the skin · shoes rub · rub someone raw
something + rub + against + something
to spread a substance over a surface or into it by pressing and moving your hand
Rub the lotion into your skin.
Rub salt into the meat before cooking it.
rub lotion into your skin · rub salt into the meat · rub oil on wood
rub + something + into + something
rub + something + on + something
a short massage or a gentle movement of a hand over part of the body
My shoulders need a good rub.
He gave the baby’s back a gentle rub.
give someone a rub · a quick rub
give + someone + a rub
to influence someone through regular contact
Her positive attitude rubbed off on me.
to keep reminding someone about a mistake or failure in a way that makes them feel worse
I know I lost, so don’t rub it in.
that is the problem or difficult part
We can leave today, but there’s the rub: the car is out of gas.
The past and -ing forms double the final b: rubbed, rubbing.