Word
scrubs
UK/skɹˈʌbz/
Plural noun
Definition
n. the plain clothes that doctors and nurses wear while they are working in a hospital. They are usually loose and easy to clean.
n. sanitary, loose-fitting garments worn by medical personnel in a clinical or surgical environment. Usually consists of a short-sleeved shirt and trousers.
Examples
“The nurse changed into clean scrubs before her shift started.”
“Hospital staff are required to wear blue or green scrubs to maintain a sterile environment during surgery.”
“While traditionally associated with the operating theatre, scrubs have become the standard daily uniform for healthcare workers across most departments due to their comfort and ease of laundering.”
Examples
simple
“The nurse changed into clean scrubs before her shift started.”
contextual
“Hospital staff are required to wear blue or green scrubs to maintain a sterile environment during surgery.”
complex
“While traditionally associated with the operating theatre, scrubs have become the standard daily uniform for healthcare workers across most departments due to their comfort and ease of laundering.”
Usage
Takes plural verb agreement; often used with the quantifier 'a pair of'.
Real-World Examples
“Flores wore dark jail scrubs during her court appearance.” “She co-founded the vegan skincare company Hyphen with Bollywood star Kriti Sanon in 2023 and also runs mCaffeine which makes scrubs, washes and lotions and calls itself India's first caffeinated personal care brand.” The word in film
Scrubs · Comedy
- Starring:
- Ryan Reynolds, Courteney Cox, Michael J. Fox
This long-running medical comedy follows the lives of young interns and doctors working at Sacred Heart Hospital. The title describes the loose, functional clothing that the medical staff must wear every day while treating their patients.
Domain
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/scrubs