Meaning & use

scrub

noun·Everyday

Informal term for a person, especially a man, regarded as unimpressive or lacking money, ambition, or style.

See it in a sentence

Her friends teased her for dating a scrub who never had a job or a car.

He refused to be called a scrub and started working out and saving money.

A note on using this word

This slang sense is casual and can be dismissive; avoid it in formal or professional contexts.

Words with a similar meaning

loser

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

Vegetation consisting of low trees and shrubs, or land covered with it.

The trail wound through dry scrub before opening onto a rocky ridge.

3. verb

To clean a surface thoroughly by rubbing hard.

He scrubs the kitchen counters every night before bed.

Make it your own

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