rub off

verb

rubbed off; rubbing off; rubs off

intransitive verb

: to become transferred

bad habits rubbed off on them

carbon rubs off on your hands

rub-off

ˈrəb-ˌȯf 

noun

Examples of rub off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These scales are not living tissue and can sometimes rub off without killing the butterfly. — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 10 Sep. 2026

The moves made around him rubbed off on an already confident demeanor. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026

His excitement rubbed off on us all and our group had as much fun shooting shovelers as anyone has ever had hunting greenheads. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 9 Sep. 2026

Hearing more about Carlos’ selflessness has rubbed off on Bustillos, according to his mom, Vanessa. — Jacob Sisneros, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rub off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

rub off

verb

: to become transferred

the ink rubbed off on my fingers

a positive attitude can rub off on others