Scrubbing: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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