To clean, polish, or manipulate by the application of pressure and friction.
To apply to a surface firmly and with friction: rub lotion on the hands; rub dye into the fabric.
To move (an object or objects) firmly along a surface, especially repeatedly: rub an eraser over the blackboard; rubbed my fingers over the sore spot.
To cause to become worn, chafed, or irritated.
To remove, erase, or expunge: rub away a stain; rubbed the sleep from my eyes.
v.
intr.
To exert pressure or friction on something.
To wear or chafe with friction: My shoes were beginning to rub.
To cause irritation or annoyance.
To move along in contact with a surface; graze or scrape.
To be transferred or removed by contact or proximity: newsprint that rubbed off on my fingers; wished some of her luck would rub off on me.
n.
The act of rubbing.
The application of friction and pressure: a back rub.
A substance or preparation applied by rubbing, especially:
A liniment or balm.
A seasoning made of ground spices and herbs, applied to the surface of meat, fish, or vegetables before cooking.
An unevenness on a surface.
An act or remark that annoys or hurts another.
A difficulty or obstacle: "The rub for extraterrestrial life on Europa is that the moon's surface is an icy wasteland"(William J. Broad).
To obliterate by or as if by rubbing.
Slang To kill; murder.
Phrasal Verb(s): rub downTo perform a brisk rubbing of the body, as in massage. rub inTo harp on (an unpleasant matter). rub out
To obliterate by or as if by rubbing.
Slang To kill; murder.
Idiom(s):
rub elbows/shouldersTo mix or socialize closely: diplomats rubbing elbows with heads of state.
Idiom(s):
rub (one's) handsTo experience or display pleased anticipation, self-satisfaction, or glee.
Idiom(s):
rub (someone's) nose in Slang To bring repeatedly and forcefully to another's attention.
Idiom(s):
rub (someone) the wrong wayTo annoy; irritate: "One can see . . . how [his] expression of his ideals and intentions must have rubbed many people the wrong way"(Christopher Lehmann-Haupt).
Idiom(s):
rub up onTo refresh one's knowledge of: I have to rub up on my French.
(rŭb) 