Meaning & use
scrubbing
Last updated
“scrubbing” is a form of “scrub”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
The -ing form of scrub: cleaning something by rubbing it hard, usually with a brush and water.
Grammar: Often takes an object: scrubbing the floor; or none: scrubbing away.
Patterns
- scrubbing something
- scrubbing at something
- scrubbing something off
She is scrubbing the pots after dinner.
He spent the afternoon scrubbing at the stain on the carpet.
The children are scrubbing mud off their boots.
noununcountable
The act of cleaning something by rubbing it hard with a brush.
Grammar: Usually uncountable: the floor needs a good scrubbing.
Patterns
- give something a scrubbing
- a good scrubbing
The bathroom tiles need a good scrubbing.
After a thorough scrubbing, the pans looked new.
Hand scrubbing is better for delicate surfaces.
verbtransitiveinformal
The -ing form of scrub meaning cancelling or removing something such as a plan, event or file.
Grammar: Takes an object: scrubbing the launch.
Patterns
- scrubbing something
Officials are scrubbing the launch because of bad weather.
The company is scrubbing the data to remove errors.
They are scrubbing the whole project and starting again.
Word forms
| base form | scrub |
|---|---|
| third person singular | scrubs |
| past tense | scrubbed |
Common combinations
- scrubbing brush
- Use a scrubbing brush on the stubborn dirt.
- scrubbing the floor
- He was scrubbing the floor on his knees.
- scrubbing away
- She kept scrubbing away until the pan shone.
- a good scrubbing
- The dog needs a good scrubbing.
- scrubbing up
- The surgeon is scrubbing up before the operation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cleaning
- Cleaning is general and can be gentle, while scrubbing always needs hard rubbing.
- scouring
- Scouring suggests rough abrasive rubbing, often with a coarse pad.
- rubbing
- Rubbing is general friction and does not imply cleaning.
- washing
- Washing uses water and soap and may involve no hard rubbing at all.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: scrubbing or scrapping?
scrubbing vs scrapping
Scrapping means throwing away or cancelling something; scrubbing means cleaning by rubbing.
Practice
She spent an hour ______ the kitchen floor to remove the sticky stain.
Choose one answer.
Scrubbing means rubbing hard to clean. Scribbling is hasty writing, scrapping is cancelling, and scouting is searching.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “scrubbing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.