rub

To press against a surface and move back and forth over it.

• Don't rub your eyes.
• He rubbed his cold hands together.
• The cat rubbed against my leg.

How to use it: rub something together (She rubbed her hands together to warm them.); rub against something (The strap rubs against my neck.)

Common phrases: rub your hands, rub your eyes, rub against something, rub something gently

To spread a substance over a surface by pressing and moving your fingers or hands over it.

• Rub some cream on your hands.
• He rubbed the meat with spices.
• Have you rubbed the lotion into your skin?

How to use it: rub something into something (Rub the cream into your skin.); rub something with something (Rub the chicken with salt and spices.); rub something on something (She rubbed oil on her hands.)

Similar words: spread, smear, apply

Common phrases: rub in cream, rub on oil, rub with spices, rub into something

An act of moving your hand or another object back and forth over a surface with pressure.

• She gave my back a gentle rub.
• The silver needs a quick rub with a cloth.
• A shoulder rub helped him relax.

How to use it: give someone/something a rub (Give the table a rub with a soft cloth.)

Common phrases: back rub, shoulder rub, give a rub, gentle rub

A cream or mixture you spread over skin or food by pressing and moving your hands over it.

• Apply the rub to your sore muscles.
• He made a spice rub for the chicken.
• This chest rub has a strong smell.

Common phrases: muscle rub, chest rub, spice rub, dry rub