Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
rub off. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
rub off, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
rub off in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
rub off you have here. The definition of the word
rub off will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
rub off, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Verb
rub off (third-person singular simple present rubs off, present participle rubbing off, simple past and past participle rubbed off)
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see rub, off.
- To clean by rubbing.
- Coordinate term: rub out
1921 June, Margery Williams, “The Velveteen Rabbit: Or How Toys Become Real”, in Harper’s Bazar, volume LVI, number 6 (2504 overall), New York, N.Y.: International Magazine Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:He was wet through with the dew and quite earthy from diving into the burrows the Boy had made for him in the flower bed, and Nana grumbled as she rubbed him off with a corner of her apron.
- (intransitive, idiomatic) To be transferred with little or no effort.
I hoped that, if I hung out with the popular kids, some of their charisma might rub off on me.
2022 September 27, Barclay Bram, “My Therapist, the Robot”, in The New York Times:Over time, I noticed various exercises I did with Woebot rubbing off in my daily life. Woebot taught me how to set SMART goals — specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-limited.
Derived terms
Related terms
See also
Anagrams