rust

A red-brown substance that forms on iron or steel when it reacts with air and water.

• The gate is covered in rust.
• He removed the rust from his bicycle chain.
• There are patches of rust on the old car.

Common phrases: covered in rust, remove rust, patch of rust, rust on steel

A plant disease caused by a fungus that often leaves red-brown spots on leaves.

• Rust damaged the wheat crop.
• These orange spots are signs of rust.
• The gardener treated the roses for rust.

Common phrases: wheat rust, leaf rust, rust disease

A substance that forms on a metal other than iron when it reacts with air or water.

• Green rust covered the copper plate.
• She removed the rust from the brass fitting.
• Copper rust had changed the statue's colour.

Similar words: corrosion

Common phrases: copper rust, green rust, rust on copper

To develop a red-brown surface as iron or steel reacts with air and water.

• Iron can rust.
• The old gate rusted in the rain.
• Keep your tools dry so they do not rust.

Similar words: corrode, oxidize

Common phrases: rust in rain, begin to rust, rust over time, rust in water

To make metal develop a reddish-brown layer through contact with water or air.

• Rain can rust metal.
• The salty water rusted the hinges.
• Damp air has rusted all our tools.

Similar words: corrode

Common phrases: rust metal, rust the iron