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rub
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- pronunciation:
- ruhb
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
- phrases:
- rub elbows, rub the wrong way
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun)
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
rubs, rubbing, rubbed |
| definition 1: |
to apply friction and pressure to with a back and forth motion.
He rubbed his sore arm.I rubbed the stain on the shirt with some detergent.- synonyms:
- knead, massage
- similar words:
- burnish, caress, stroke
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| definition 2: |
to apply or spread (something) against or into a surface using pressure.
He spent the afternoon washing and rubbing wax on his car.The doctor said to rub the ointment into the skin well.- similar words:
- burnish, smear, smooth, spread, swab, wipe
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| definition 3: |
to erase by applying friction and pressure (usu. fol. by "off" or "out").
He rubbed the stain out of his shirt with soap and a wet cloth.- synonyms:
- delete, efface, erase, expunge, obliterate, wipe
- similar words:
- blot out, cancel, eradicate
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| related words: |
apply, buff, chafe, fray, gall, massage, polish, scour, scrape, scratch, scrub, shine, wear |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to move or slide against something.
This part of my shoe is rubbing and I'm getting a blister.Our shoulders rubbed as the three of us sat in the back of the small car.The cat rubs against the sofa and gets her fur all over it.- synonyms:
- chafe, scrape
- similar words:
- abrade, graze, wear
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| definition 2: |
to admit of being removed by friction and pressure.
- synonyms:
- erase
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| related words: |
chafe, scrape, scratch |
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| phrase: |
rub elbows, rub the wrong way |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
the process or an instance of rubbing.
Give my back a rub.- synonyms:
- massage, rubdown
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| definition 2: |
a bar or impediment.
The rub is that we can't afford the cost.- synonyms:
- catch, difficulty, dilemma, hitch, impediment, obstacle, problem, snag, trouble
- similar words:
- wrinkle
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| definition 3: |
an action or comment that causes annoyance.
- synonyms:
- annoyance, chafe, cut, insult, nuisance, vexation
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| related words: |
bucket, caress |
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