scrub
word
Definition
As a verb, 'scrub' means to clean something by rubbing it hard, usually with water and a brush or sponge. It can also informally mean to cancel something, and as a noun it can refer to low rough plants or, in informal use, a person of low status or ability.
Usage & Nuances
Most common meaning is physical cleaning: 'scrub the floor', 'scrub your hands'. For cancellation, 'scrub' is informal and common in news or workplace contexts: 'The launch was scrubbed'. As a noun meaning an unimportant or inferior person, it is insulting and often appears in slang; in sports or gaming, 'scrub' can mean a weak player. The plant meaning appears in geography and nature contexts, as in 'scrubland'.
Example Sentences
I need to scrub the kitchen sink.
basic
The nurse told me to scrub my hands well.
basic
They had to scrub the game because of rain.
basic
The team scrubbed the launch at the last minute.
natural
In that game, new players get called scrubs all the time.
natural
We spent all morning scrubbing paint off the floor.
natural