rub in

verb

rubbed in; rubbing in; rubs in

transitive verb

: to harp on (something unpleasant) : emphasize

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rub in was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near rub in

rubijervine

rub in

rubine

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Rub in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rub%20in. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

rub in

verb
: to keep reminding someone of something unpleasant
you don't have to rub it in
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
collage with pinking shears decanter bustle sculling on a purple background
Name That Thing MegaQuiz: Vol. 5 Test your visual vocabulary!