Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

rub down

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.96 in modern English

Syllables: rub -down
IPA

13

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To rub from top to bottom, e.g. for cleaning, stripping paint or massage.

Transitive verb

verb

To frisk (search by feeling the body and clothing).

Dated; Transitive verb

verb

To grind, wear down, or wear away by rubbing.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"We were taken to a light airy stable, and placed in boxes adjoining each other, where we were rubbed down and fed."
"[…] "jumped him", as it were, and immediately "rubbed him down" with the view of getting possession of his weapon."

Usage

Inflected Forms

rubs down (present, singular) rubbing down (participle, present) rubbed down (participle, past) rubbed down (past)

Synonyms

rub away massage knead abrade corrade abrase rub off

Questions

What does rub down mean?: To rub from top to bottom, e.g. for cleaning, stripping paint or massage.

How to pronounce rub down

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “rub down”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “rub down”.
Repeat and practice — Say “rub down” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.