HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

To look up an entry in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, use the search window above. For best results, after typing in the word, click on the “Search” button instead of using the “enter” key.

Some compound words (like bus rapid transit, dog whistle, or identity theft) don’t appear on the drop-down list when you type them in the search bar. For best results with compound words, place a quotation mark before the compound word in the search window.

guide to the dictionary

rub

(rŭb)

v. rubbed, rub·bing, rubs

v.tr.

1. To apply pressure and friction to (a surface).

2. To clean, polish, or manipulate by the application of pressure and friction.

3. To apply to a surface firmly and with friction: rub lotion on the hands; rub dye into the fabric.

4. 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.

5. To cause to become worn, chafed, or irritated.

6. To remove, erase, or expunge: rub away a stain; rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

v.intr.

a. To exert pressure or friction on something.

b. To wear or chafe with friction: My shoes were beginning to rub.

c. To cause irritation or annoyance.

2. To move along in contact with a surface; graze or scrape.

3. 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.

1. The act of rubbing.

2. The application of friction and pressure: a back rub.

3. A substance or preparation applied by rubbing, especially:

a. A liniment or balm.

b. A seasoning made of ground spices and herbs, applied to the surface of meat, fish, or vegetables before cooking.

4. An unevenness on a surface.

5. An act or remark that annoys or hurts another.

6. A difficulty or obstacle: "The rub for extraterrestrial life on Europa is that the moon's surface is an icy wasteland" (William J. Broad).

Phrasal Verbs:

rub down

To perform a brisk rubbing of the body, as in massage.

rub in

To harp on (an unpleasant matter).

rub out

1. To obliterate by or as if by rubbing.

2. Slang To kill; murder.

Idioms:

rub elbows/shoulders

To mix or socialize closely: diplomats rubbing elbows with heads of state.

rub (one's) hands

To experience or display pleased anticipation, self-satisfaction, or glee.

rub (someone's) nose in Slang

To bring repeatedly and forcefully to another's attention.

rub (someone) the wrong way

To annoy; irritate: "One can see ... how [his] expression of his ideals and intentions must have rubbed many people the wrong way" (Christopher Lehmann-Haupt).

rub up on

To refresh one's knowledge of: I have to rub up on my French.

[Middle English rubben.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

American Heritage Dictionary Products

HOW TO USE THE DICTIONARY

THE USAGE PANEL

AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY APP

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY BLOG

INTERESTED IN DICTIONARIES?

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

American Heritage Dictionary Products