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Definition of dishrag

dishrag

/ˈdɪʃˌræɡ/
dish · rag
Plural:dishrags
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dishrag Lexical Profile

dishrag Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A piece of cloth used for washing dishes and wiping kitchen surfaces.

Example

"After finishing the meal, he rinsed the dishrag and wiped down the countertops."

2

A person who is weak, lacking in energy, or easily manipulated.

Example

"She refused to be treated like a dishrag by her overbearing colleagues and finally stood up for herself."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for dishrag
Antonyms
View all antonyms for dishrag

Word Nuance & Usage

Often appears in the simile 'limp as a dishrag' to describe someone who is physically exhausted or emotionally drained; it can also be used pejoratively as a metaphor for a submissive, weak-willed person.

• Nearby Words

dishonorably
dishonorer
dishpan
dishrag
dishtowel
dishware
dishwasher

Word Origin & Etymology

A compound of 'dish' and 'rag', first recorded in English in the mid-19th century to describe a simple cloth used for washing kitchenware.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dishrag. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dishrag
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