rub
Pronunciation: [rʌb]
Context: “physical action”
(verb) to move your hand or something soft back and forth on a surface. It’s like when you pet a dog or scratch your back. You are rubbing something when you do that.
Example
She likes to rub her cat to make it feel happy.
Example
He didn’t rub the paint well, so it looks rough.
Example
Can you rub the lotion on my back?
Context: “physical action”
(noun) the act of moving your hand or something soft back and forth on a surface. Just like you rub your eyes when you are sleepy.
Example
A gentle rub on her shoulders helped her relax.
Example
That rug doesn’t need any rubs because it’s already clean.
Example
Did you give a rub to your sore muscles after exercising?
Context: “removal”
(verb) to remove something by rubbing, like if you have dirt on your hands or on a table and you want it to be clean. You rub it off with a cloth or your hands.
Example
If you rub the stain with a cloth, it will come off.
Example
He forgot to rub the crumbs off the table, so it looked messy.
Example
Did you rub the dirt off your shoes before coming inside?
Context: “substance”
(noun) a mixture used to add flavor when cooking, often made of spices and herbs. People use it to make food taste better.
Example
She made a delicious rub for the grilled chicken.
Example
That rub for the steak was too spicy for my taste.
Example
What kind of rub do you think would be good for ribs?