Word
rubbing
Phoneticsrub·bing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹəbɪŋ/
UK/ɹˈʌbɪŋ/
Definitions
01moving back and forth
A2 · Elementary
v. the action of moving your hand, a cloth, or another object over a surface while pressing down.
v. the present participle and gerund of 'rub', describing the application of friction to a surface.
“The constant rubbing of the new shoes against his heel caused a painful blister.”
“After the long hike, the gentle rubbing of his sore muscles provided immediate relief from the accumulated tension.”
02an art copy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a picture you make by putting paper over a textured surface and rubbing it with a pencil or crayon.
n. an impression of an embossed or incised surface made by placing paper over it and applying a colouring agent to reveal the texture.
“The children made a rubbing of the old coin to see the date more clearly.”
“The historian carefully created a charcoal rubbing of the medieval gravestone to preserve the fading inscription for further study.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Bancroft was caught rubbing sandpaper on the ball the same day.” “She makes a "smoothie" out of her fluffy yellow cream, rubbing blobs on the back of her hand and mixing it with a tinted moisturiser.” “Her husband suggested it might be her shoes rubbing.” Etymology
From Middle English rubbinge, rubbynge, equivalent to rub + -ing.
From rub + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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