scrub
scrub Lexical Profile
scrub Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To rub something hard so as to clean it, typically with a stiff brush and water.
"He had to scrub the baking pan for ten minutes to remove the burnt grease."
To cancel or abandon a planned operation, mission, or event.
"Engineers decided to scrub the rocket launch due to high upper-level winds."
To thoroughly wash one's hands and arms in preparation for performing surgery.
"The medical students watched the chief surgeon scrub before the procedure."
To remove impurities, pollutants, or sensitive data from gases, liquids, or digital files.
"The software was used to scrub personally identifiable information from the database."
• noun
An act of rubbing something hard in order to clean it.
"The kitchen floor needs a thorough scrub before the guests arrive."
Sanitary, loose-fitting protective clothing worn by surgeons, nurses, and other hospital personnel (usually used in the plural).
"The surgeon changed into fresh green scrubs before entering the operating room."
A cosmetic lotion or cream containing tiny abrasive particles used to exfoliate and deep-clean the skin.
"She uses an apricot facial scrub twice a week to keep her skin smooth."
Semi-arid or coastal land characterized by low, stunted trees, bushes, and thickets, or the vegetation itself.
"Small lizards darted quickly through the dry Australian scrub."
North American An insignificant, unskilled, or contemptible person, especially a second-rate athlete or gamer.
"The coach put the scrubs into the game during the final minutes of the blowout."
• adjective
Of an inferior, stunted, or undersized breed, growth, or variety.
"Hard-pressed cattle grazed among the scrub oaks on the dry hillside."
North American Relating to or designating informal, impromptu, or reserve athletic teams or players not belonging to the main varsity squad.
"The neighborhood kids organized a scrub baseball game in the vacant lot."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the sanitary apparel worn by healthcare professionals, the word is almost exclusively used in the plural form ('scrubs'). In informal and gaming slang, 'scrub' is a derogatory noun for an unskilled, unmotivated, or low-status player or person.
• Rhymes for scrub
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The verb and cleaning noun entered English in the late 16th century, likely borrowed from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German 'schrobben' (to rub or scratch). The botanical and geographical sense of stunted undergrowth represents a dialectical variant of the Old English word 'scrybb' (shrub).