rubbish

noun

rub·​bish ˈrə-bish 

dialectal -bij

1

: useless waste or rejected matter : trash

2

: something that is worthless or nonsensical

… few real masterpieces are forgotten and not much rubbish survives.

—William Bridges-Adams

rubbishy

ˈrə-bə-shē 

adjective

Synonyms of rubbish

• garbage
• debris
• trash
• junk
• dust

Examples of rubbish in a Sentence

Please, pick the rubbish up off the ground.

I think what he says is absolute rubbish!

“I'm sorry, but I had to do it.” “Rubbish!”

The food at that restaurant is complete rubbish.

Recent Examples on the Web

The study confirmed direct dumping by boats, with evidence of bags full of rubbish thrown overboard. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026

Researchers found evidence of bags full of rubbish being thrown overboard, identifiable by pile-up patterns on the seabed. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Mar. 2026

Workers in white hazmat suits moved piles of rubbish into trucks. —Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026

Ford Aerospace Company was nearby, but the immediate area was known more for a buffalo ranch and a landfill, where residents of Santa Ana and other nearby cities would drop off rubbish in Newport Beach. —Richard Dunn, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English robous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rubbish

• rubbish bin
• rubbish tip/dump

Kids Definition

rubbish

noun

rub·​bish ˈrəb-ish 

: useless waste or stuff that has been thrown away : trash

rubbishy

-ē 

adjective