SCRUB | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

late 16th century: probably from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch schrobben, schrubben

rub (someone or something) hard so as to clean them, typically with a brush and water

rub person or thing hard so as to clean them

• he had to scrub the floor
• she was scrubbing herself down at the sink
• she scrubbed furiously at the plates

cancel or abandon (something)

cancel or abandon

• the first two races had to be scrubbed because of blustery winds and rough seas

use water to remove impurities from (gas or vapour)

use water to remove impurities from

• the vapour is scrubbed by the condensate

(of a driver) allow (a tyre) to slide or scrape across the road surface so as to reduce speed

(of driver) allow tyre to slide or scrape across road surface so as to reduce speed

• I usually only scrub the front tyre when I get into a turn too hot

(of a rider) rub the arms and legs urgently on a horse's neck and flanks to urge it to move faster

(of rider) rub arms and legs urgently on horse's neck and flanks to urge it to move faster

• by now the field was spreadeagled and scrubbing to keep in touch with the hounds

an act of scrubbing something or someone

act of scrubbing something or someone

• give the floor a good scrub

a semi-abrasive cosmetic lotion applied to the face or body in order to cleanse the skin

semi-abrasive cosmetic lotion applied to face or body

• don't use facial scrubs if your skin is sensitive

special hygienic clothing worn by surgeons during operations

special hygienic clothing worn by surgeons during operations

• Bill emerged from the delivery room in green scrubs