rubber

UK: /ˈrʌbə^r/ US: /ˈrʌbɚ/ ,(rub′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

rub•ber¹ /ˈrʌbɚ/   n. 

1. Chemistry [uncountable] a highly elastic solid from the milky juice of rubber trees.
2. Chemistry [uncountable] natural rubber treated to make it tougher, longer-wearing, etc., or a similar substance and material made synthetically.
3. [countable] an eraser made of this material.
4. a low overshoe of this material:
   [countable* usually plural] He wore his rubbers when it rained.
5. rubber band.
6. [countable] an instrument or tool used for rubbing, etc.
7. Slang Terms [countable] a condom.

adj. [before a noun]

8. made of, containing, or coated with rubber.
9. of or relating to rubber:
   a rubber plant.

rub•ber² /ˈrʌbɚ/   n. [countable]

1. Games (in bridge) a series or round played until one side has won two out of three games.
2. Sport Also called ˈrub•ber ˌmatch. a deciding contest when a series of games or matches is tied.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rub•ber¹  (rub′ər), n. 

1. Chemistry Also called India rubber, natural rubber, gum elastic, caoutchouc. a highly elastic solid substance, light cream or dark amber in color, polymerized by the drying and coagulation of the latex or milky juice of rubber trees and plants, esp. Hevea and Ficus species.
2. Chemistry a material made by chemically treating and toughening this substance, valued for its elasticity, nonconduction of electricity, shock absorption, and resistance to moisture, used in the manufacture of erasers, electrical insulation, elastic bands, crepe soles, toys, water hoses, tires, and many other products.
3. Chemistry any of various similar substances and materials made synthetically. Cf. synthetic rubber. 
4. See rubber band. 
5. an eraser of this material, for erasing pencil marks, ink marks, etc.
6. Automotive, Informal Terms [Informal.] a rubber tire or a set of rubber tires.
7. a low overshoe of this material.
8. an instrument or tool used for rubbing, polishing, scraping, etc.
9. a person who rubs something, as to smooth or polish it.
10. Nautical, Naval Terms cutter (def. 7).
11. British Terms a dishcloth.
12. a person who gives massages;
    masseur or masseuse.
13. Sport swipe (def. 6).
14. Sport [Baseball.] an oblong piece of white rubber or other material embedded in the mound at the point from which the pitcher delivers the ball.
15. Building a coarse file.
16. Slang Terms a condom.

v.i. 

17. Informal Terms to rubberneck.

adj. 

18. made of, containing, or coated with rubber:
    a rubber bath mat.
19. pertaining to or producing rubber:
    a rubber plantation.

• rub + -er¹ 1530–40

rub′ber•less, adj. 
rub′ber•like′, adj. 

rub•ber²  (rub′ər), n. 

1. (in certain card games, as bridge and whist)
2. Games a series or round played until one sidereaches a specific score or wins a specific number of hands.
3. Games a series consisting of an odd number of games won by the side winning the majority, usually two out of three.
4. Games the deciding game in such a series.

adj. 

5. Sport Also called rubber match. noting a deciding contest between two opponents who have previously won the same number of contests from each other.

• origin, originally uncertain 1585–95

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rubber / ˈrʌbə/ noun

1. Also called: India rubber, gum elastic, caoutchouc a cream to dark brown elastic material obtained by coagulating and drying the latex from certain plants, esp the tree Hevea brasiliensis
2. any of a large variety of elastomers produced by improving the properties of natural rubber or by synthetic means
3. a piece of rubber or felt used for erasing something written, typed, etc; eraser
4. a cloth, pad, etc, used for polishing or buffing
5. a person who rubs something in order to smooth, polish, or massage
6. (often plural) a rubberized waterproof article, such as a mackintosh or overshoe
7. a condom
8. (modifier) made of or producing rubber: a rubber ball, a rubber factory

Etymology: 17th Century: from rub + -er¹; the tree was so named because its product was used for rubbing out writing

rubber / ˈrʌbə/ noun

1. a match of three games
2. the deal that wins such a match
3. a series of matches or games in any of various sports

Etymology: 16th Century: origin unknown