# scrubbed

/ˈskɹəbd/ (US) · /skɹˈʌbd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/scrubbed
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

completely clean and free from germs because someone has washed it very hard. In a hospital, it describes a doctor who has prepared their hands and arms for an operation.

For teachers: thoroughly cleaned by hard rubbing, specifically in a medical context to describe personnel who have undergone surgical hand disinfection. Often used predicatively to indicate a state of readiness for a sterile procedure.

## Examples

- The surgeon is scrubbed and ready to begin.
- Once the lead doctor is fully scrubbed, they must keep their hands above waist level to maintain sterility.
- The entire surgical team remained scrubbed for the duration of the six-hour procedure, ensuring that no contaminants were introduced into the sterile field during the delicate operation.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used as a participial adjective in medical contexts; often follows the verb 'to be'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.