Scrub
/skrʌb/
nounverbB1
Definition
As a verb, "scrub" means to clean a surface by rubbing it hard, usually with water and soap or a brush. As a noun, "scrub" refers to small bushes or rough plants that grow close to the ground, often in dry or wild areas.
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See It in Action
To clean by rubbing hard
- •She scrubbed the kitchen floor until it was shiny.
- •You need to scrub your hands to remove the germs.
- •He scrubbed the stain out of his shirt with soap.
Small bushes or rough plants growing close to the ground
- •The hikers walked through the scrub to reach the river.
- •This area is covered with dry scrub and small trees.
- •Many animals live in the scrub because it gives them shelter.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "scrub" like "clean," but you use more effort and rubbing to remove dirt or stains.
- ✓Picture someone using a brush and pushing hard on a dirty floor or clothes to make them clean.
- ✓It's the feeling when you wash your hands carefully to get rid of all the dirt.
- ✓Sounds like "scrub" → imagine someone scrubbing a dirty pot with a brush, making a scrubbing sound.
- ✓In stories, people sometimes live near "scrub" land, which is full of small bushes and rough plants.
- ✓NOT like "wipe" (which is gentle), "scrub" is stronger and uses more force.
- ✓NOT like "forest" (big trees), "scrub" is small, low plants or bushes.
- ✓NOT like "wash" (which can be soft), "scrub" means rubbing hard to clean.
Try Other Words
- •Wash: to clean with water and soap (Use when cleaning is gentle or general)
- •Brush: to clean by moving a brush over a surface (Use when a brush is the main tool)
- •Wipe: to clean by moving a cloth lightly over a surface (Use for gentle cleaning)
- •Thicket: a dense group of bushes or small trees (Use when talking about plants, but more dense than "scrub")
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No prefix or suffix; root word "scrub"
- •Etymology: From Middle English "scrubben," meaning to rub or clean roughly
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s for cleaning by rubbing; later also used for small bushes or rough land
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for cleaning hard, dirty surfaces and to describe low, bushy plants in nature
Reflect & Connect
•When do you think it is necessary to scrub something instead of just cleaning it gently?
•How do you imagine life in a place covered with scrub plants compared to a forest or city?
Fill in the blanks
1.To remove the tough stain, you need to scrub the surface with a ___ or brush.
2.After gardening, she scrubbed her hands ___ to get rid of all the dirt.
3.The hikers walked through thick scrub, which made the path ___ and hard to see.
4.Unlike wiping, scrubbing requires ___ effort and rubbing to clean well.
5.The scrub near the house is full of small bushes but no ___ trees.
6.When you scrub something, you often use ___ and water to help clean.
7.Animals hide in the scrub because it gives them ___ from predators.