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Rubbers: meaning, definitions and examples

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rubbers

 

[ ˈrʌbərz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

school supplies

Rubbers are small pieces of rubber or other material used for erasing pencil marks on paper. They are commonly found in pencil cases and are essential tools for students.

Synonyms

eraser, rubber eraser

Examples of usage

  • Make sure you have a rubber in your pencil case for correcting mistakes.
  • I borrowed Sarah's rubber to erase my spelling mistake.
Context #2 | Noun

British English

In British English, 'rubbers' is a slang term for a condom, used as a form of contraception during sexual intercourse.

Synonyms

condom, prophylactic

Examples of usage

  • He always carries rubbers in his wallet in case he needs them.
  • Remember to use rubbers to protect yourself during sex.
Context #3 | Noun

North American English

In North American English, 'rubbers' can also refer to waterproof overshoes or galoshes worn over shoes to protect them from rain or snow.

Synonyms

galoshes, overshoes

Examples of usage

  • She put on her rubbers before going out in the rain.
  • The children wore rubbers to keep their shoes dry in the snow.

Translations

Translations of the word "rubbers" in other languages:

🇵🇹 borrachas

🇮🇳 रबर

🇩🇪 Radierer

🇮🇩 penghapus

🇺🇦 стертки

🇵🇱 gumki

🇯🇵 消しゴム

🇫🇷 gommes

🇪🇸 borradores

🇹🇷 silgiler

🇰🇷 지우개

🇸🇦 ممحاة

🇨🇿 gumy

🇸🇰 gumy

🇨🇳 橡皮擦

🇸🇮 radirke

🇮🇸 rubbara

🇰🇿 өшіргіштер

🇬🇪 წაშლილი

🇦🇿 silgi

🇲🇽 borradores

Etymology

The word 'rubbers' originated from the material rubber, which was first used in the 1770s. Initially, rubbers were made from natural rubber derived from the sap of rubber trees. Over time, synthetic rubber became more commonly used for making rubbers. The term 'rubbers' took on different meanings in various English-speaking regions, including school supplies for erasing pencil marks, condoms for contraception, and waterproof overshoes. Today, 'rubbers' remains a versatile word with multiple meanings depending on the context.

See also: rubbery.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,269, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.