Rub vs. Scrub — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 22, 2024
Rub involves applying pressure and movement on a surface, while scrub involves a more intense, abrasive cleaning action.
Difference Between Rub and Scrub
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rub typically refers to the action of applying pressure and moving back and forth over a surface, often for the purpose of cleaning, massaging, or applying a substance. The movement is generally gentler compared to scrubbing and can be part of a soothing or therapeutic process. On the other hand, scrub is a more vigorous and abrasive action aimed at removing dirt or dead cells from surfaces or skin. Scrubbing usually requires a brush, sponge, or other tools and is often associated with a deeper cleaning process.
Rub can be used in various contexts, from culinary (rubbing spices onto meat) to personal care (rubbing lotion on skin), emphasizing a gentler, more surface-level interaction. The term doesn't necessarily imply the removal of particles but rather the application or stimulation of a surface.
Scrub, in contrast, is often used in contexts that imply thorough cleaning or exfoliation, such as in personal hygiene (scrubbing your face) or household cleaning (scrubbing a floor). The term suggests a more intensive effort to remove unwanted substances.
While rubbing can be a part of everyday routines and require minimal effort, scrubbing is typically more task-specific and can be physically demanding, reflecting the intensity and purpose behind the action.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To move something back and forth or around on a surface.
To clean or remove by rubbing hard.
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Intensity
Generally gentler and less forceful.
More vigorous and forceful.
Purpose
Often for applying, spreading, or massaging.
Aimed at thorough cleaning or exfoliation.
Tools Required
Not necessarily, can be done with bare hands.
Often requires a brush, sponge, or abrasive tool.
Contexts
Culinary, personal care, therapeutic.
Cleaning, personal hygiene, exfoliation.
Compare with Definitions
Rub
To spread a substance over a surface by moving back and forth.
He rubs olive oil on the salad bowl before serving.
Scrub
To clean something by rubbing it hard, often with an abrasive tool.
She scrubs the pots and pans to remove the burnt food.
Rub
To apply pressure and move hands over the skin for relaxation.
She likes to rub her tired feet after a long day at work.
Scrub
In medical or hygiene practices, to thoroughly clean hands and arms before a procedure.
Surgeons scrub their hands and arms up to the elbows before surgery.
Rub
To gently move hands over a body part to alleviate pain.
Rubbing the temples can help relieve headache symptoms.
Scrub
To rub a surface hard to remove stains or dirt.
Scrubbing the floor with bleach can help remove tough stains.
Rub
To touch something repeatedly for luck or as a ritual.
Rubbing the Buddha statue's belly is said to bring good fortune.
Scrub
To clean something thoroughly by applying a lot of effort and energy.
Scrubbing the deck of the boat takes a lot of elbow grease.
Rub
To cause two surfaces to move against each other.
Rubbing sticks together can create enough heat to start a fire.
Scrub
To remove dead skin cells by rubbing a rough surface against the skin.
He uses a loofah to scrub his skin during a shower.
Rub
Apply firm pressure to the surface of (something), using a repeated back and forth motion
She rubbed her arm, where she had a large bruise
He rubbed at the earth on his jeans
Scrub
To rub hard in order to clean
Scrubbed the floor.
Rub
(with reference to two things) move or cause to move to and fro against each other with a certain amount of friction
Many insects make noises by rubbing parts of their bodies together
The ice breaks into small floes that rub against each other
Scrub
To remove (dirt or stains) by hard rubbing.
Rub
An act of rubbing
She pulled out a towel and gave her head a quick rub
Scrub
To remove impurities from (a gas) chemically.
Rub
The central problem or difficulty in a situation
That was the rub—she had not cared enough
Scrub
To maintain the integrity of by finding and correcting errors
Software that automatically scrubs stored data.
Rub
(in bowling) an uneven patch of ground that impedes or diverts a bowl.
Scrub
To erase in such a way as to render unrecoverable
Scrubbed the laptop's hard drive to destroy incriminating evidence.
Rub
To apply pressure and friction to (a surface).
Scrub
(Slang) To cancel or abandon; drop
We had to scrub our plans for vacation.
Rub
To clean, polish, or manipulate by the application of pressure and friction.
Scrub
To clean or wash something by hard rubbing
Don't forget to scrub behind your ears.
Rub
To apply to a surface firmly and with friction
Rub lotion on the hands.
Rub dye into the fabric.
Scrub
The act or an instance of scrubbing.
Rub
To move (an object or objects) firmly along a surface, especially repeatedly
Rub an eraser over the blackboard.
Rubbed my fingers over the sore spot.
Scrub
A preparation or product used in scrubbing.
Rub
To cause to become worn, chafed, or irritated.
Scrub
Vegetation consisting chiefly of shrubs and small trees.
Rub
To remove, erase, or expunge
Rub away a stain.
Rubbed the sleep from my eyes.
Scrub
An area covered with such vegetation; shrubland.
Rub
To exert pressure or friction on something.
Scrub
A domestic animal that is feral or not purebred.
Rub
To wear or chafe with friction
My shoes were beginning to rub.
Scrub
(Slang) A contemptible or incompetent person.
Rub
To cause irritation or annoyance.
Scrub
(Sports) A player not on the varsity or first team.
Rub
To move along in contact with a surface; graze or scrape.
Scrub
Mean; dirty; contemptible; scrubby.
Rub
To be transferred or removed by contact or proximity
Newsprint that rubbed off on my fingers.
Wished some of her luck would rub off on me.
Scrub
One who labors hard and lives meanly; a mean fellow.
Rub
The act of rubbing.
Scrub
One who is incompetent or unable to complete easy tasks.
What a scrub! Instead of washing the dishes she put the used food on her face!
Rub
The application of friction and pressure
A back rub.
Scrub
A thicket or jungle, often specified by the name of the prevailing plant
Oak scrub
Rub
A liniment or balm.
Scrub
One of the common livestock of a region of no particular breed or not of pure breed, especially when inferior in size, etc. Often used to refer to male animals unsuited for breeding.
Rub
A seasoning made of ground spices and herbs, applied to the surface of meat, fish, or vegetables before cooking.
Scrub
Vegetation of inferior quality, though sometimes thick and impenetrable, growing in poor soil or in sand; also, brush.
Rub
An unevenness on a surface.
Scrub
One not on the first team of players; a substitute.
Rub
An act or remark that annoys or hurts another.
Scrub
Informal attire or dress code; morning dress
Rub
A difficulty or obstacle
"The rub for extraterrestrial life on Europa is that the moon's surface is an icy wasteland" (William J. Broad).
Scrub
An instance of scrubbing.
Rub
An act of rubbing.
Give that lamp a good rub and see if any genies come out.
Scrub
A cancellation.
Rub
A difficulty or problem.
Scrub
A worn-out brush.
Rub
(archaic) A quip or sarcastic remark.
Scrub
One who scrubs.
Rub
In the game of crown green bowls, any obstacle by which a bowl is diverted from its normal course.
Scrub
That which scrubs.
Rub
Any substance designed to be applied by rubbing.
A heat rub intended for muscular strains
Scrub
An exfoliant for the body.
Rub
A mixture of spices applied to meat before it is barbecued.
Scrub
Clothing worn while performing surgery.
Rub
A loan.
Scrub
Any medical uniform consisting of a short-sleeved shirt and pants (trousers).
Rub
(transitive) To move (one object) while maintaining contact with another object over some area, with pressure and friction.
I rubbed the cloth over the glass.
The cat rubbed itself against my leg.
I rubbed my hands together for warmth.
Scrub
(transitive) To rub hard; to wash with rubbing; usually, to rub with a wet brush, or with something coarse or rough, for the purpose of cleaning or brightening
To scrub a floor
To scrub your fingernails
Rub
(transitive) To rub something against (a second thing).
I rubbed the glass with the cloth.
Scrub
(intransitive) To rub anything hard, especially with a wet brush; to scour
Rub
(intransitive) To be rubbed against something.
My shoes are beginning to rub.
Scrub
To be diligent and penurious
To scrub hard for a living
Rub
(transitive) To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.
Meat rubbed with spices before barbecuing
Scrub
(transitive) To call off a scheduled event; to cancel.
Engineers had to scrub the satellite launch due to bad weather.
Rub
(dated) To move or pass with difficulty.
To rub through woods, as huntsmen
Scrub
To eliminate or to correct data from a set of records to bring it inline with other similar datasets
The street segment data from the National Post Office will need to be scrubbed before it can be integrated into our system.
Rub
To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; often with up or over.
To rub up silver
Scrub
(audio) To move a recording tape back and forth with a scrubbing motion to produce a scratching sound, or to do so by a similar use of a control on an editing system.
Rub
To hinder; to cross; to thwart.
Scrub
To maneuver the play position on a media editing system by using a scroll bar or touch-based interface.
Rub
To touch the jack with the bowl.
Scrub
To rub hard; to wash with rubbing; usually, to rub with a wet brush, or with something coarse or rough, for the purpose of cleaning or brightening; as, to scrub a floor, a doorplate.
Rub
To subject (a body) to the action of something moving over its surface with pressure and friction, especially to the action of something moving back and forth; as, to rub the flesh with the hand; to rub wood with sandpaper.
It shall be expedient, after that body is cleaned, to rub the body with a coarse linen cloth.
Scrub
To rub anything hard, especially with a wet brush; to scour; hence, to be diligent and penurious; as, to scrub hard for a living.
Rub
To move over the surface of (a body) with pressure and friction; to graze; to chafe; as, the boat rubs the ground.
Scrub
One who labors hard and lives meanly; a mean fellow.
We should go there in as proper a manner as possible; nor altogether like the scrubs about us.
Rub
To cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface; as, to rub the hand over the body.
Two bones rubbed hard against one another.
Scrub
Something small and mean.
Rub
To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.
The smoothed plank, . . .New rubbed with balm.
Scrub
A worn-out brush.
Rub
To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; - often with up or over; as, to rub up silver.
The whole business of our redemption is to rub over the defaced copy of the creation.
Scrub
A thicket or jungle, often specified by the name of the prevailing plant; as, oak scrub, palmetto scrub, etc.
Rub
To hinder; to cross; to thwart.
'T is the duke's pleasure,Whose disposition, all the world well knows,Will not be rubbed nor stopped.
Scrub
One of the common live stock of a region of no particular breed or not of pure breed, esp. when inferior in size, etc.
Rub
To move along the surface of a body with pressure; to grate; as, a wheel rubs against the gatepost.
Scrub
Vegetation of inferior quality, though sometimes thick and impenetrable, growing in poor soil or in sand; also, brush; - called also scrub brush. See Brush, above.
Rub
To fret; to chafe; as, to rub upon a sore.
Scrub
A low, straggling tree of inferior quality.
Rub
To move or pass with difficulty; as, to rub through woods, as huntsmen; to rub through the world.
Scrub
Mean; dirty; contemptible; scrubby.
How solitary, how scrub, does this town look!
No little scrub joint shall come on my board.
Rub
The act of rubbing; friction.
Scrub
Dense vegetation consisting of stunted trees or bushes
Rub
That which rubs; that which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction hard to overcome; a pinch.
Every rub is smoothed on our way.
To sleep, perchance to dream; ay, there's the rub.
Upon this rub, the English ambassadors thought fit to demur.
One knows not, certainly, what other rubs might have been ordained for us by a wise Providence.
Scrub
The act of cleaning a surface by rubbing it with a brush and soap and water
Rub
Inequality of surface, as of the ground in the game of bowls; unevenness.
Scrub
Clean with hard rubbing;
She scrubbed his back
Rub
Something grating to the feelings; sarcasm; joke; as, a hard rub.
Scrub
Wash thoroughly;
Surgeons must scrub prior to an operation
Rub
Imperfection; failing; fault.
Scrub
(of domestic animals) not selectively bred
Rub
A chance.
Flight shall leave no Greek a rub.
Rub
A stone, commonly flat, used to sharpen cutting tools; a whetstone; - called also rubstone.
Rub
An unforeseen obstacle
Rub
The act of rubbing or wiping;
He gave the hood a quick rub
Rub
Move over something with pressure;
Rub my hands
Rub oil into her skin
Rub
Cause friction;
My sweater scratches
Rub
Scrape or rub as if to relieve itching;
Don't scratch your insect bites!
Common Curiosities
What's the primary difference between rub and scrub?
Rubbing is a gentler action often used for massaging or applying substances, while scrubbing is a vigorous, abrasive action aimed at deep cleaning or exfoliation.
Can rubbing be part of a cleaning process?
Yes, rubbing can be part of a cleaning process, especially for delicate surfaces or when applying cleaning agents.
Is scrubbing always harsh on surfaces?
Scrubbing is generally more abrasive than rubbing, but the harshness can vary depending on the tools and methods used.
Can rubbing help in relieving muscle pain?
Yes, gentle rubbing, especially when combined with therapeutic ointments, can help in relieving muscle pain.
Can I use a homemade scrub?
Yes, homemade scrubs can be effective, but ensure the ingredients are suitable for your skin type and the surface you're cleaning.
Can I use a scrub for daily skin care?
While scrubs can be beneficial for skin care, daily use might be too harsh for some skin types and could lead to irritation.
Is it necessary to use tools for scrubbing?
For effective scrubbing, especially for deep cleaning, tools like brushes or sponges are often recommended.
How often should I scrub my skin?
The frequency depends on your skin type and the scrub used; generally, 1-2 times a week is recommended for most skin types.
Is there an environmental impact to consider when choosing between rub and scrub?
Yes, the choice of products and tools for rubbing and scrubbing can impact the environment, especially in terms of chemical use and waste production.
Are there any specific products designed for scrubbing the skin?
Yes, there are many exfoliating scrubs available that are specifically designed to scrub and rejuvenate the skin.
How do I choose between rubbing and scrubbing for a cleaning task?
The choice depends on the nature of the task; use rubbing for gentle, surface-level cleaning and scrubbing for removing tough dirt or stains.
Can rubbing cause damage to sensitive surfaces?
While less abrasive than scrubbing, rubbing too hard on sensitive surfaces can still cause damage.
Can scrubbing remove permanent marks?
Scrubbing can help reduce the appearance of some permanent marks, but it might not completely remove them.
Is scrubbing effective for all types of stains?
Scrubbing is effective for many types of stains, but some may require specific cleaning agents or techniques.
Is rubbing alcohol related to the action of rubbing?
While the term "rubbing alcohol" implies use in a rubbing motion, it's actually named for its use in medical and sanitary applications, not the action of rubbing.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
