Standard Lemma guide

rubbing

noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈɹʌbɪŋ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ʌbɪŋ
  • CMU ARPABET: R AH1 B IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An impression of an embossed or incised surface made by placing a piece of paper over it and rubbing with graphite, crayon or other coloring agent.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

present participle and gerund of rub

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

effort expended in moving one object over another with pressure

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: friction, detrition

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: effort, elbow grease, exertion, travail, sweat

Narrower terms: attrition

4

noun

Meaning 4

representation consisting of a copy (as of an engraving) made by laying paper over something and rubbing it with charcoal

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: representation

5

noun

Meaning 5

the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: friction

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: resistance

Narrower terms: grinding, abrasion, attrition, detrition, grip, traction, adhesive friction

History

Etymology

From Middle English rubbinge, rubbynge, equivalent to rub + -ing.

From rub + -ing.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: fregadissa — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Catalan: fregament — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Chinese Mandarin: 拓印圖 /拓印图 (tàyìntú) — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Chinese Mandarin: 拓片 (tàpiàn) — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Chinese Mandarin: 拓本 (tàběn) — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Chinese Mandarin: 拓印 (tàyìn) — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Dutch: afwrijfsel — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Finnish: hankauspiirros — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • French: frottement — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Italian: sfregamento — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Italian: sfregatura — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Japanese: 拓本 (takuhon) — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Portuguese: esfregação — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Spanish: rozamiento — impression of an embossed or incised surface
  • Spanish: frotamiento — impression of an embossed or incised surface