VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

foam rubber

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌfəʊm ˈrʌbə/
US/ˌfoʊm ˈrʌbɚ/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    A soft, spongy, lightweight material full of tiny air pockets, made from rubber or rubber-like substances, used for padding and cushioning.

    Grammar: Uncountable: some foam rubber, a sheet of foam rubber.

    Patterns

    • a sheet of foam rubber
    • stuffed with foam rubber

    The sofa cushions are stuffed with foam rubber.

    She glued a sheet of foam rubber to the bottom of the box.

    Foam rubber protects fragile items during shipping.

  2. nouncountable or uncountable

    A piece or layer of this material used for a particular purpose, such as a mat or insulation.

    Grammar: Can be counted when meaning an item, but this is uncommon.

    Patterns

    • a layer of foam rubber

    A thin layer of foam rubber lined the helmet.

    He put foam rubber under the camping mat for comfort.

    The stage crew used foam rubber to make soft props.

Common combinations

a sheet of foam rubber
Cut a sheet of foam rubber to fit the box.
stuffed with foam rubber
The chair is stuffed with foam rubber.
thick foam rubber
Thick foam rubber makes a comfortable pad.
foam rubber padding
The gym mat has foam rubber padding.
foam rubber cushion
I sat on a foam rubber cushion at the stadium.

Synonyms and how they differ

sponge rubber
Sponge rubber has a more open, absorbent structure, while foam rubber is usually used for padding.
foam
Foam is the general word for any material full of bubbles, and foam rubber is a specific type with a rubbery feel.
padding
Padding is the purpose, not the material, while foam rubber is one material used for it.
memory foam
Memory foam slowly molds to your shape and returns slowly, while ordinary foam rubber springs back quickly.

Word family

foam noun
a mass of tiny bubbles or a light material with air pockets
foamy adjective
covered with or like foam
rubber noun
a stretchy material made from latex or synthetics
rubbery adjective
soft and elastic like rubber

Commonly confused: foam rubber or foam rubber? foam rubber or rubber foam?

foam rubber vs foam rubber

Spelled as two words; some people mix it up with foamy rubber, which is not a standard term.

foam rubber vs rubber foam

Rubber foam is a less common wording; the standard name is foam rubber.

Practice

The packers lined the crate with ____ so the vase would not break in transit.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “foam rubber”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words