scrub

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈskrəb 

often attributive

1

a

: a stunted tree or shrub

b

: vegetation consisting chiefly of scrubs

c

: a tract covered with scrub

2

: a domestic animal of mixed or unknown parentage and usually inferior conformation : mongrel

3

: a person of insignificant size or standing

4

: a player not belonging to the first string

scrub

2 of 3

verb

scrubbed; scrubbing

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to clean with hard rubbing : scour

(2)

: to remove by scrubbing

b

: to subject to friction : rub

2

: wash sense 6c(2)

3

: cancel, eliminate

scrubbed the flight because of bad weather

intransitive verb

1

: to use hard rubbing in cleaning

2

: to prepare for performing surgery by scrubbing oneself

scrubbable

ˈskrə-bə-bəl 

adjective

scrub

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: an act or instance of scrubbing

especially : cancellation

2

a

: one that scrubs

b

: a powerful and especially cosmetic cleanser

3

scrubs plural : loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff

surgical scrubs

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• diminutive
• dwarf
• midget
• mite
• peewee
• pygmy
• pigmy
• runt
• shrimp
• Tom Thumb

Verb

• abandon
• abort
• call
• call off
• cancel
• cry off
• drop
• recall
• repeal
• rescind
• revoke
• scrap

Examples of scrub in a Sentence

Noun (1)

that scrub of a mutt turned out to be the smartest dog we ever had

Verb

We scrubbed and scrubbed until the floor was clean.

They scrubbed the game because of the bad weather.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Body Scrub Gift Set Made Without Any Synthetic Fragrances Give the gift of smooth, flake-free skin with this body scrub gift set. —Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2024

Weather led to a scrub of the Aug. 3 attempt, but SpaceX was able to launch despite Tropical Storm Debby churning off Florida’s southwest coast. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Dec. 2024

Verb

Use a sponge to scrub the copper in circular motions. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024

When the sign fell down, the newspaper alleges, an employee was made to scrub the toilet because it had been used by an unapproved person. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, alteration of schrobbe, schrubbe shrub — more at shrub

Verb

of Low German or Scandinavian origin; akin to Middle Low German & Middle Dutch schrubben to scrub, Swedish skrubba

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1595, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing scrub

• scrub brush
• scrub jay
• scrub nurse
• scrub oak
• scrub off
• scrub out
• scrub pine
• scrub typhus
• scrub up

Kids Definition

scrub

1 of 3 noun

ˈskrəb 

1

a

: a thick growth of small or stunted shrubs or trees

b

: an area of land covered with scrub

2

: a domestic animal of mixed or unknown parentage and usually inferior build

3

: a person of small size or low social rank

4

: a player not belonging to the first string

scrub adjective

scrub

2 of 3 verb

scrubbed; scrubbing

: to rub hard in cleaning or washing

scrub clothes

scrubber noun

scrub

3 of 3 noun

: an act or instance of scrubbing

Medical Definition

scrub

1 of 2 verb

ˈskrəb 

scrubbed; scrubbing

transitive verb

: to clean and disinfect (the hands and forearms) before participating in surgery

intransitive verb

: to prepare for surgery by scrubbing oneself

scrub

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of scrubbing

a surgical scrub

2

plural : loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff

surgical scrubs