scrub
1 of 3noun (1)
ˈskrəb 
often attributive
1
a
: a stunted tree or shrub
b
: vegetation consisting chiefly of scrubs
c
: a tract covered with scrub
2
: a domestic animal of mixed or unknown parentage and usually inferior conformation : mongrel
3
: a person of insignificant size or standing
4
: a player not belonging to the first string
scrub
2 of 3verb
scrubbed; scrubbing
transitive verb
1
a(1)
: to clean with hard rubbing : scour
(2)
: to remove by scrubbing
b
: to subject to friction : rub
2
: wash sense 6c(2)
3
: cancel, eliminate
scrubbed the flight because of bad weather
intransitive verb
1
: to use hard rubbing in cleaning
2
: to prepare for performing surgery by scrubbing oneself
scrubbable
ˈskrə-bə-bəl
adjective scrub
3 of 3noun (2)
1
: an act or instance of scrubbing
especially : cancellation
2
a
: one that scrubs
b
: a powerful and especially cosmetic cleanser
3
scrubs plural : loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff
surgical scrubs
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- diminutive
- dwarf
- midget
- mite
- peewee
- pygmy
- pigmy
- runt
- shrimp
- Tom Thumb
Verb
- abandon
- abort
- call
- call off
- cancel
- cry off
- drop
- recall
- repeal
- rescind
- revoke
- scrap
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb We scrubbed and scrubbed until the floor was clean. They scrubbed the game because of the bad weather.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, alteration of schrobbe, schrubbe shrub — more at shrub
Verb
of Low German or Scandinavian origin; akin to Middle Low German & Middle Dutch schrubben to scrub, Swedish skrubba
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
circa 1595, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)
Noun (2)
1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing scrub
Kids Definition
scrub 1 of 3
verb
ˈskrəb
scrubbed; scrubbing
: to rub hard in washing
scrub
2 of 3noun
: a thick growth of small or stunted shrubs or trees
scrub
3 of 3noun
: the act, an instance, or a period of rubbing hard in washing
Medical Definition
scrub 1 of 2
verb
ˈskrəb
scrubbed; scrubbing
transitive verb
: to clean and disinfect (the hands and forearms) before participating in surgery
intransitive verb
: to prepare for surgery by scrubbing oneself
scrub
2 of 2noun
1
: an act or instance of scrubbing
a surgical scrub
2
plural : loose-fitting clothing worn by hospital staff
surgical scrubs
scrub 1 of 2
noun
as in shrimp
a living thing much smaller than others of its kind that scrub of a mutt turned out to be the smartest dog we ever had Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- shrimp
- dwarf
- diminutive
- mini
- miniature
- mite
- midget
- pygmy
- peewee
- Tom Thumb
- pigmy
- runt
- nubbin
- mannikin
- bantam
- manikin
- homunculus
- hop-o'-my-thumb
- half-pint
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- giant
- monster
- mammoth
- jumbo
- whale
- colossus
- behemoth
- titan
- leviathan
- whopper
scrub
2 of 2verb
as in to scrap
to put an end to (something planned or previously agreed to) the outdoor art project was scrubbed when the organizers found out they needed permission from city hall Synonyms & Similar Words
- scrap
- abandon
- cancel
- repeal
- revoke
- abort
- call off
- drop
- recall
- call
- rescind
- reverse
- cry off
- withdraw
- halt
- roll back
- write off
- nullify
- take back
- suspend
- stop
- end
- invalidate
- retract
- terminate
- interrupt
- void
- abrogate
- hold back
- annul
- relinquish
- discontinue
- break off
- recant
- surrender
- countermand
- give up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- keep
- continue
- engage
- start
- initiate
- begin
- undertake
- promise
- take up
- pledge
- commence
- take on