<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>(used with object) to subject the surface of (a thing or person) to pressure and friction, as in cleaning, smoothing, polishing, coating, massaging, or soothing: to rub a table top with wax polish; to rub the entire back area.</li><li>to move (something) back and forth or with a rotary motion, as against or along another surface: to rub the cloth over the glass pane.</li><li>to spread or apply (something) with pressure and friction over something else or a person: to rub lotion on her chapped hands.</li><li>to move (two things) with pressure and friction over or back and forth over each other (often followed by together): He rubbed his hands together.</li><li>to mark, polish, force, move, etc. (something) by pressure and friction (often followed by over, in, or into).</li><li>to remove by pressure and friction; erase (often followed by off or out).</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>an act or instance of rubbing: an alcohol rub.</li><li>something that annoys or irritates one's feelings, as a sharp criticism, a sarcastic remark, or the like: to resent rubs concerning one's character.</li><li>an annoying experience or circumstance.</li><li>an obstacle, impediment, or difficulty: We'd like to travel, but the rub is that we have no money.</li><li>Synonyms: pinch, trouble, thing, catch, hitch.</li><li>a rough or abraded area caused by rubbing.</li></ul>