Scrubbing: meaning, definitions and examples

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scrubbing

[ˈskrʌbɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

household cleaning

The action of cleaning something by rubbing it hard with a brush or a cloth.

Synonyms

cleaning, rubbing, washing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scrubbing	This word is used when you need to clean something with a lot of effort, usually using a brush or a hard sponge. She was scrubbing the kitchen floor to remove the stains. He spent the afternoon scrubbing the bathroom tiles.
cleaning	A general term used for removing dirt, dust, or unwanted substances from an object, room, or space. It does not imply the amount of effort or the tools used. She spends every Saturday cleaning the house. They hired a company to help with cleaning the office.
rubbing	This implies moving something back and forth with pressure, usually to make it clean, shiny, or smooth. He was rubbing the car to make it shine. She was rubbing lotion into her skin.
washing	Involves using water, and often soap or detergent, to clean something. Commonly used for clothes, dishes, and hands. She was washing the dishes after dinner. He spent the morning washing his car.

Examples of usage

She was busy scrubbing the kitchen floor.
He used a scrubbing brush to clean the bathtub.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

medical

The process of thoroughly cleaning the hands and forearms before performing a surgical operation.

Synonyms

cleansing, disinfecting, sterilizing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scrubbing	It is often used when describing the process of washing or cleaning surfaces or objects with force and effort, usually using a brush or sponge to remove dirt. She spent the afternoon scrubbing the kitchen floor. He was scrubbing the pots and pans after dinner.
cleansing	This word is used for cleaning related to personal hygiene or often in a metaphorical sense for purifying something, like cleansing the body or soul. She followed a daily skincare routine that included cleansing her face. Meditation can be a way of cleansing your mind of stress.
disinfecting	This term is used when cleaning to kill germs and bacteria, typically with chemical agents, often in medical, kitchen, or bathroom contexts. The nurse is disinfecting the wound before applying the bandage. Regularly disinfecting high-touch surfaces helps prevent the spread of illness.
sterilizing	Used mainly in medical or laboratory settings to describe the process of making something completely free from bacteria and other microorganisms. Surgical instruments must be sterilized before use. The lab technician is sterilizing the equipment to ensure accurate test results.

Examples of usage

The surgeon performed a scrubbing before the surgery.
Proper scrubbing is essential to prevent infections during medical procedures.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

cleaning

To clean or rub something hard with a brush or a cloth.

Synonyms

clean, rub, wash.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scrubbing	Use in situations where intense cleaning is needed, often involving hard surfaces like floors, walls, or stubborn stains. She spent hours scrubbing the kitchen floor to remove the dirt The graffiti on the wall needed a lot of scrubbing to come off
clean	This is a general term for removing dirt, dust, or unwanted substances. It can refer to various actions such as dusting, wiping, washing, etc. I need to clean my room before the guests arrive He volunteered to clean the park with his friends
rub	Used when making circular or back-and-forth movements, usually by hand, to polish, smooth, or apply substances. Often involves a more gentle action compared to scrubbing. She rubbed the lotion onto her skin The magician asked the child to rub the magic lamp
wash	Applies to cleaning objects or surfaces with water and often soap. It can refer to laundry, dishes, or body parts. I need to wash my car this weekend Don’t forget to wash your hands before eating

Examples of usage

She scrubbed the floor until it was spotless.
He scrubbed the pots and pans after dinner.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Middle English term 'scrippen', meaning to clean or scrape.
It has roots in the Old English phrase 'scruban', which also means to rub or scratch.
The transition from 'scruban' to 'scrubbing' illustrates how cleaning practices have evolved linguistically over the centuries.

Cultural Practices

In many cultures, spring cleaning involves scrubbing homes from top to bottom, symbolizing renewal and fresh starts.
In some traditional Japanese customs, scrubbing is a ritual to prepare for events, ensuring spaces are clean and welcoming.
The concept of 'Spring cleaning' dates back to ancient Persian and Jewish traditions, where meticulous scrubbing was believed to clear out negativity.

Science

Research shows that physically scrubbing surfaces removes up to 99% of germs and dirt, making it a key practice in preventing illness.
The effectiveness of scrubbing is related to both the mechanical action of rubbing and the use of detergents which break down grime.
Different materials require specific scrubbing techniques to avoid damage, such as using a soft cloth for electronics versus a rough brush for gardening tools.

Literature

In classic literature, scrubbing often symbolizes purification, with characters engaging in this act to reflect a transformation.
Authors frequently use scrubbing as a motif to signify the removal of the past or guilt, indicating a character's desire to start anew.
Children's books often depict scrubbing as a fun activity, reinforcing the idea of teamwork and cleanliness during family chores.

Technology

In digital contexts, 'scrubbing' refers to moving through a video timeline, allowing users to cleanly skip to parts they want to watch.
Software 'scrubbing' can denote the practice of cleaning up unneeded files, thus optimizing a computer’s performance.
In data management, scrubbing ensures the accuracy of information by removing duplicates and errors, similar to cleaning data sets.

Translations

Translations of the word "scrubbing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 esfregação

🇮🇳 स्क्रबिंग

🇩🇪 Schrubben

🇮🇩 menggosok

🇺🇦 чистка

🇵🇱 szorowanie

🇯🇵 擦り洗い (すりあらい)

🇫🇷 nettoyage

🇪🇸 fregado

🇹🇷 ovma

🇰🇷 문지르기

🇸🇦 تنظيف

🇨🇿 drhnutí

🇸🇰 drhnutie

🇨🇳 擦洗 (cā xǐ)

🇸🇮 drgnjenje

🇮🇸 skrúbbun

🇰🇿 скрабтау

🇬🇪 დასუფთავება

🇦🇿 ovma

🇲🇽 fregado

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,192, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
17189 snug
17190 scaffolding
17191 slowness
17192 scrubbing
17193 caveat
17194 retraction
17195 cask
...