scrub

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈskrəb 

often attributive

1

a

: a stunted tree or shrub

b

: vegetation consisting chiefly of scrubs

c

: a tract covered with scrub

2

: a domestic animal of mixed or unknown parentage and usually inferior conformation : mongrel

3

: a person of insignificant size or standing

4

: a player not belonging to the first string

scrub

2 of 3

verb

scrubbed; scrubbing

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to clean with hard rubbing : scour

(2)

: to remove by scrubbing

b

: to subject to friction : rub

2

: wash sense 6c(2)

3

: cancel, eliminate

scrubbed the flight because of bad weather

intransitive verb

1

: to use hard rubbing in cleaning

2

: to prepare for performing surgery by scrubbing oneself

scrubbable

ˈskrə-bə-bəl 

adjective

scrub

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: an act or instance of scrubbing

especially : cancellation

2

a

: one that scrubs

b

: a powerful and especially cosmetic cleanser

3

scrubs plural : loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff

surgical scrubs

Synonyms of scrub

Noun (1)

• toy
• dwarf
• diminutive

Verb

• scrap
• cancel
• abandon
• revoke
• repeal
• abort

Examples of scrub in a Sentence

Noun (1)

that scrub of a mutt turned out to be the smartest dog we ever had

Verb

We scrubbed and scrubbed until the floor was clean.

They scrubbed the game because of the bad weather.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Even if the products are used to scrub counters, Gagliardi explains that they should be put away once the job is done. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026

Still in his scrubs, he’s greeted by one of his five housemates, lounging on the porch. —Kent Babb, Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2026

Verb

The May 6 attempt was scrubbed two hours before liftoff because of valve on ULA’s upper Centaur stage that teams continue to investigate. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026

The friction helps scrub the clothing clean. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, alteration of schrobbe, schrubbe shrub — more at shrub

Verb

of Low German or Scandinavian origin; akin to Middle Low German & Middle Dutch schrubben to scrub, Swedish skrubba

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1595, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scrub

• scrub brush
• scrub jay
• scrub nurse
• scrub oak
• scrub off
• scrub out
• scrub pine
• scrub typhus
• scrub up

Rhymes for scrub

• bub
• club
• cub
• dub
• grub
• hub
• nub
• pub
• rub
• shrub
• snub
• stub

Kids Definition

scrub

1 of 3 noun

ˈskrəb 

1

a

: a thick growth of small or stunted shrubs or trees

b

: an area of land covered with scrub

2

: a domestic animal of mixed or unknown parentage and usually inferior build

3

: a person of small size or low social rank

4

: a player not belonging to the first string

scrub adjective

scrub

2 of 3 verb

scrubbed; scrubbing

: to rub hard in cleaning or washing

scrub clothes

scrubber noun

scrub

3 of 3 noun

: an act or instance of scrubbing

Medical Definition

scrub

1 of 2 verb

ˈskrəb 

scrubbed; scrubbing

transitive verb

: to clean and disinfect (the hands and forearms) before participating in surgery

intransitive verb

: to prepare for surgery by scrubbing oneself

scrub

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of scrubbing

a surgical scrub

2

plural : loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff

surgical scrubs