rub

verb

\ ˈrəb

rubbed; rubbing

Definition of rub

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to move along the surface of a body with pressure : grate

b(1) : to fret or chafe with or as if with friction

(2) : to cause discontent, irritation, or anger

2 : to continue in a situation usually with slight difficulty in spite of financial difficulties, he is rubbing along

3 : to admit of being rubbed (as for erasure or obliteration)

transitive verb

1a : to subject to or as if to the action of something moving especially back and forth with pressure and friction

b(1) : to cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface

(2) : to treat in any of various ways by rubbing

c : to bring into reciprocal back-and-forth or rotary contact

2 : annoy, irritate

rub elbows or rub shoulders

: to associate closely : mingle

rub one's nose in

: to bring forcefully or repeatedly to one's attention

rub the wrong way

: antagonize, irritate

rub

noun

Definition of rub (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an unevenness of surface (as of the ground in lawn bowling)

b : obstruction, difficulty the rub is that so few of the scholars have any sense of this truth themselves— Benjamin Farrington

c : something grating to the feelings (such as a gibe or harsh criticism)

d : something that mars serenity

2 : the application of friction with pressure an alcohol rub

3 US : a combination of spices that is rubbed into the surface of meat before the meat is cooked used a dry rub on the pork ribs

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about rub

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Examples of rub in a Sentence

Verb

Could you rub my shoulders? He blinked and rubbed his eyes. The cat rubbed itself against my leg. The cat rubbed against my leg. Don't rub too hard or you'll tear the paper. He rubbed his hands with glee. There was a squeak when the boards rubbed together. The back of my shoe is rubbing against my heel and giving me a blister. There are marks where the chair has rubbed against the wall. There are marks where the chair has been rubbing the wall.

Noun

She's an amazing cook, but she rarely has time to make meals. There's the rub. He used his favorite rub on the steaks. a dry rub for chicken

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

In one frame, two balloon-like objects shaped like boobs are rubbing against each other. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "10 Signs Miley Cyrus's "Mother's Daughter" Is the Ultimate Feminist Anthem," 2 July 2019 Also called hidden psoriasis, this painful type of psoriasis—an inflammatory condition that occurs when your skin cells multiply too quickly—appears in places on the body where the skin rubs against skin or where the skin tends to stay sweaty. — Lambeth Hochwald, Health.com, "What is Inverse Psoriasis—and What’s the Best Way to Treat It?," 27 June 2019 Pruning corrects branches crossed or rubbing against each other, are dead or exhibiting errant growth. — Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Indianapolis Star, "The Hoosier Gardener: Some plants hard to find this spring," 13 June 2019 Wet clothing rubbing against your skin can be a recipe for rash and blister. — oregonlive.com, "10 running tips for surviving Portland’s heatwave," 10 June 2019 The report also alleges Walk forcibly tried to kiss one female employee and rubbed his genitals against her during a business dinner. — Fox News, "NBC News chief Andy Lack protected high-profile male talent accused of sexual misconduct: report," 22 Sep. 2018 Among Kornak’s first projects would be to collect grizzly hair samples off trees or anything else the bears might rub their fur against. — Author: Marwa Eltagouri, Anchorage Daily News, "Mauled in the woods in Montana, a grizzly bear researcher walks two miles with a fractured skull for help," 25 May 2018 Among Kornak's first projects would be to collect grizzly hair samples off trees or anything else the bears might rub their fur against. — Marwa, chicagotribune.com, "Mauled in the Montana woods, grizzly bear researcher walks miles with a fractured skull for help," 24 May 2018 One of her first projects was to collect grizzly bear hair samples from objects the animals rub against. — Cydney Henderson, azcentral, "Woman mauled by bear on 'dream job' walked miles with fractured skull to find help," 24 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Hanging Hills has again collaborated with Bear’s Smokehouse for its unique German-style lager, using fresh pumpkin smoked at Bear’s with the barbecue joint’s secret dry rub. — Leeanne Griffin, courant.com, "It’s time for fall beers at Connecticut breweries. Here are eight of them.," 16 Sep. 2019 Brush room temperature pork chops with olive oil and pat oiled chops with Sassy rub. — ExpressNews.com, "Recipe: Sassy Smoked Pork Chops," 9 Sep. 2019 While some of his antics have been humorous, like a quick back rub for Toronto coach Nick Nurse, others, like his heckling of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, tread into uncomfortably mean-spirited territory. — Ann Killion, SFChronicle.com, "Warriors investor embarrasses team, underscores how vulnerable players are," 6 June 2019 Everything from a shoulder rub to an orgasm is amplified under the influence of cannabis. — Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, "Here’s How Weed Use Can Improve Your Sex Life," 20 Apr. 2019 Getty Images Both Harry and Meghan were greeted with a hongi (a traditional nose rub) by High Commissioner Sir Jerry Mateparae and Deputy High Commissioner David Evans. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Took a Surprise Outing Yesterday That We All Almost Missed," 20 Mar. 2019 Sometimes, Lambert said, there were back rubs and massages. — Dylan Segelbaum, USA TODAY, "Former Pa. scoutmaster, citizen of the year focus of inquiry into decades of sex abuse," 28 Aug. 2019 The company also began selling bacon rubs and gourmet stone-ground grits. — Lily Jackson | Ljackson@al.com, al, "Southern foodie Erika Barrett brings her first restaurant home to Mobile," 20 Aug. 2019 The mushrooms are treated to a dry rub and a vinegary sauce; smoking them twice ensures deep flavor and a lovely, enticing aroma. — Bonnie S. Benwick, Washington Post, "Fire up your summer with recipes from the season’s new grilling cookbooks," 19 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rub.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.