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scrub
1[skruhb]
verb (used with object)
to rub hard with a brush, cloth, etc., or against a rough surface in washing.
to subject to friction; rub.
to remove (dirt, grime, etc.) from something by hard rubbing while washing.
Chemistry., to remove (impurities or undesirable components) from a gas by chemical means, as sulfur dioxide from smokestack gas or carbon dioxide from exhaled air in life-support packs.
to cancel or postpone (a space flight or part of a mission).
Ground control scrubbed the spacewalk.
Slang., to do away with; cancel.
Scrub your vacation plans—there's work to do!
Computers.
to perform routine maintenance on (data) in memory or storage with scans that detect and correct data corruption.
The system is automated to scrub and archive all active records in the database.
to permanently erase (a hard drive, server, etc.), usually by writing over space where data had been stored and was later deleted, so that deleted data cannot be recovered.
Scrub your computer’s hard drive before you sell or donate it.
to delete (negative or damaging online content relating to someone or something) so as to erase it from public record or social media: Before applying for jobs, I scrubbed a bunch of posts from my hard-partying past.
The marketing team scrubbed the disgraced celebrity spokesperson from their website within hours of the scandal.
Before applying for jobs, I scrubbed a bunch of posts from my hard-partying past.
verb (used without object)
to cleanse something by hard rubbing.
Digital Technology., to fast-forward or rewind in an audio or video file by dragging the progress marker forward or backward across the timeline bar.
Scrub forward through the pregame and start playback from the kickoff.
noun
an act or instance of scrubbing.
a canceled or postponed space flight, launching, scheduled part of a space mission, etc.
something, as a cosmetic preparation, used for scrubbing.
scrubs, a uniform, durably designed for frequent washing and sanitizing, usually consisting of pants and a loose-fitting top, worn by doctors, nurses, and other medical staff, especially during surgery: nursing scrubs.
surgical scrubs;
nursing scrubs.
verb phrase
scrub in / up, to cleanse one's hands and arms as a preparation to performing or assisting in surgery.
scrub
2[skruhb]
noun
low trees or shrubs collectively.
a large area covered with low trees and shrubs, as the Australian bush.
a domestic animal of mixed or inferior breeding; mongrel.
a small or insignificant person.
anything undersized or inferior.
Sports., a player not belonging to the varsity or regular team; a player who is not first-string.
adjective
small, undersized, or stunted.
inferior or insignificant.
abounding in or covered with low trees and shrubs.
They rode through scrub country.
scrub
1/ skrʌb /
noun
vegetation consisting of stunted trees, bushes, and other plants growing in an arid area
( as modifier )
scrub vegetation
an area of arid land covered with such vegetation
an animal of inferior breeding or condition
( as modifier )
a scrub bull
a small or insignificant person
anything stunted or inferior
sport a player not in the first team
informal, a remote place, esp one where contact with people can be avoided
adjective
small, stunted, or inferior
sport
(of a player) not in the first team
(of a team) composed of such players
(of a contest) between scratch or incomplete teams
scrub
2/ skrʌb /
verb
to rub (a surface) hard, with or as if with a brush, soap, and water, in order to clean it
to remove (dirt), esp by rubbing with a brush and water
(of a surgeon) to wash the hands and arms thoroughly before operating
(tr) to purify (a vapour or gas) by removing impurities
informal, (tr) to delete or cancel
slang, (intr) horse racing (of jockeys) to urge a horse forwards by moving the arms and whip rhythmically forwards and backwards alongside its neck
noun
the act of or an instance of scrubbing
Other Word Forms
- scrubbable adjective
- nonscrubbable adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of scrub1
Word History and Origins
Origin of scrub1
Origin of scrub2
Example Sentences
The health department recommends emptying and scrubbing places where water accumulates, including tires, buckets, pet bowls, planters and rain barrels.
The subway in Henllys is used by school pupils, and Ms Higgins described the vandalism there as "so wrong", adding she "never thought" she would be scrubbing off a swastika in 2025.
“His lawyers are scrubbing the U.S. Code looking for executive power.”
The White House has defended the accuracy of DOGE’s claims, with a spokesperson recently saying, “All numbers are rigorously scrubbed with agency procurement officials.”
So it is that the first truly post-social media president has brought the scrubbed and anesthetized taste of the internet to the White House grounds.
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When To Use
Scrub is slang for someone who is just plain bad at something—a no-talent hack. This could be in sports, video games, or thanks to TLC's hit song, relationships.
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