rubber
Rubber (noun) means a stretchy, water-resistant material made from the sap of certain trees or synthetically. Example: “The tires are made of a tough, durable rubber.”
How to use rubber
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe stretchy material used in tires and gloves; in Britain, also the everyday word for an eraser; informally, a condom.
In British English "rubber" usually means an eraser; in American English it almost always means a condom, so British speakers should be careful using the word in the US.
Word forms
rubbered past tense, rubbers plural, rubbers plural, rubbers singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The tires are made of a tough, durable _____.
Etymology
From "rub" plus "-er" — originally named because the material was used to rub out pencil marks, before its other uses became more common.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for rubber
See all rhymes for rubber →Frequently asked questions
What does “rubber” mean?
The word “rubber” means a stretchy, water-resistant material made from the sap of certain trees or synthetically. In plain terms, the stretchy material used in tires and gloves; in Britain, also the everyday word for an eraser; informally, a condom.
How do you pronounce “rubber”?
“Rubber” is pronounced RUH-buh (/ˈɹʌbɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rubber” in a sentence?
Here is “rubber” used in a sentence: “The tires are made of a tough, durable rubber.”
What part of speech is “rubber”?
“Rubber” is a noun.
Is “rubber” a common word?
“Rubber” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “rubber” have?
“Rubber” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stretchy, water-resistant material made from the sap of certain trees or synthetically.
What is the difference between 'rubber' in British and American English?
In British English, 'rubber' commonly means an eraser, the object used to remove pencil marks. In American English, that object is called an 'eraser,' and 'rubber' usually refers only to the stretchy, water-resistant material.
What is the difference between natural and synthetic rubber?
Natural rubber is made from the sap of certain trees, chiefly the rubber tree. Synthetic rubber is manufactured chemically to imitate those properties, and both are stretchy and water-resistant.
Why do British students ask for a 'rubber' in class?
In British English, a 'rubber' is an eraser. A student asking for a rubber simply wants the small object used to rub out pencil marks, not the material.
What words commonly go with 'rubber'?
Common collocations include 'rubber band,' 'rubber stamp,' 'rubber gloves,' and 'rubber boots.' Most of these use the material sense of 'rubber' rather than the British eraser sense.
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