rub
verb (used with object)
to subject the surface of (a thing or person) to pressure and friction, as in cleaning, smoothing, polishing, coating, massaging, or soothing.
rubs
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pluralof rub.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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present tense formof rub (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
rubverb (used with object)to subject the surface of (a thing or person) to pressure and friction, as in cleaning, smoothing, polishing, coating, massaging, or soothing.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Margaret Keane’s big-eyed children gaze unabashedly at a girl sketched by Pablo Picasso, and cartoonist Rose O’Neill rubs elbows with Vincent van Gogh.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Her temperament rubs off on Jeff, who tells other passengers and pilots that his mother is traveling to California for a big movie role.
From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026
Bear will embark on a slower-paced chapter on the Sunshine Coast with one of his former handlers, getting belly rubs and playing his favourite game, fetch.
From Barron's ● Mar. 25, 2026
After a warm and ice-cold shower, he cleanses his face and rubs a frozen cucumber over it, which he says will reduce puffiness, acne and brighten his skin.
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2026
She smiles when I approach and then rubs her eye, curling the tip of her trunk like a fist.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
