rubbish
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for rubbish, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — (chiefly British) Waste material; trash or garbage.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use rubbish
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English robous, meaning building waste or broken stone — its exact origin before that is uncertain.
Full origin of rubbish →Frequently asked questions
What does “rubbish” mean?
The word “rubbish” means (chiefly British) Waste material; trash or garbage. In plain terms, british word for trash, or for nonsense; also used as an adjective meaning "bad," and as a verb meaning to criticize something.
How do you pronounce “rubbish”?
“Rubbish” is pronounced RUH-bihsh (/ˈɹʌbɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rubbish” in a sentence?
Here is “rubbish” used in a sentence: “Take the rubbish out before the bin men come.”
What part of speech is “rubbish”?
Depending on how it is used, “rubbish” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “rubbish” come from?
The word “rubbish” comes from Middle English. From Middle English robous, meaning building waste or broken stone — its exact origin before that is uncertain.
Is “rubbish” a common word?
“Rubbish” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “rubbish” have?
“Rubbish” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (chiefly British) Waste material; trash or garbage.
What is the difference between "rubbish" and "garbage"?
Both mean waste material, but "rubbish" is chiefly British and "garbage" is chiefly American. "Rubbish" also carries extra meanings in British English, where it can mean nonsense or describe something of very poor quality.
What is the difference between "rubbish" and "trash"?
They are close in meaning, with "rubbish" being the usual British word for waste and "trash" the more common American one. In British usage "rubbish" also works as an informal adjective meaning bad, as in "the weather was rubbish."
Can "rubbish" be used as an adjective?
Yes. In informal British English, "rubbish" is used as an adjective meaning very poor in quality, as in "the film was rubbish" or "I'm rubbish at maths."