rubber
/ˈrʌbə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈrʌbər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrə-bər/ (ame, mw)
rubber — noun
- rubbersingular
- rubbersplural
1. a flexible material that comes from the sap of certain tropical trees or is prod
a flexible material that comes from the sap of certain tropical trees or is produced in factories, and is used for making items such as tyres, gloves, balls, and bands.
The soles of Chidi's running shoes are made of hard rubber that grips the track.
uncountable: made of rubber
A rubber band can stretch to twice its length before it breaks.
compound noun: rubber band
Linh wears rubber gloves when she cleans the bathroom with bleach.
Factories near Selim's town turn tree sap into sheets of rubber for export.
- plastic
can be rigid rather than elastic, though some plastics are flexible
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the material itself. Countable when referring to specific items made of it (e.g. rubbers = overshoes).
常見錯誤
2. a small object, usually made from rubber, that you rub across pencil marks on pa
a small object, usually made from rubber, that you rub across pencil marks on paper to make them go away.
The rubber at the end of Sivan's pencil was worn down to the metal band.
Cheap rubbers often leave dark smudges on the page instead of cleaning it.
countable plural: rubbers
Ezra asked Diego if he could borrow a rubber to fix the mistake on his test paper.
When you press too hard with a rubber, the paper underneath may tear.
- eraser
standard American English term; also used in British English but less common than 'rubber'
用法筆記
Standard word in British English for an eraser. In American English, 'eraser' is more common and 'rubber' may be mistaken for the condom sense. Learners should be aware of this regional difference.
常見錯誤
3. an informal word for a condom — a thin rubber covering worn on the penis during
an informal word for a condom — a thin rubber covering worn on the penis during sex to prevent pregnancy or stop the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
David bought a pack of rubbers at the pharmacy before his trip overseas.
The health clinic's pamphlet uses the word 'condom' instead of 'rubber' to sound more professional.
register contrast: 'condom' (formal) vs 'rubber' (informal)
Ritu reminded her younger brother to carry a rubber once he started dating.
The nurse explained that using a rubber correctly every time greatly reduces the risk of infection.
- condom
the standard neutral term; appropriate for all contexts including medical and formal
- prophylactic
formal or technical term; less common in everyday speech
- protection
euphemistic; often used in phrases like 'use protection'
用法筆記
Very informal. Common in spoken American English and in movies. In formal writing, medical settings, or educational materials, 'condom' is the appropriate term. May cause confusion with the 'eraser' sense in British English.
常見錯誤
4. a rectangular strip of rubber set into the pitcher's mound in baseball, which th
a rectangular strip of rubber set into the pitcher's mound in baseball, which the pitcher must touch with one foot at the start of each throw.
Henrik wiped his forehead and stepped onto the rubber, ready for the next batter.
collocation: step onto the rubber
The umpire signalled a balk because the pitcher's foot was not touching the rubber when he threw.
Before each pitch, the pitcher taps the rubber twice and waits for the catcher's signal.
The grounds crew painted the rubber bright white the morning of the championship game.
- pitcher's plate
the official baseball term for the same object; more formal
用法筆記
Almost always appears with the definite article ('the rubber'). This sense is used almost exclusively in baseball commentary and sports journalism. Not used outside North America.
5. waterproof covers made of rubber, worn over ordinary shoes to keep them dry in w
waterproof covers made of rubber, worn over ordinary shoes to keep them dry in wet or snowy weather.
Grandpa pulled on his old rubbers before stepping out into the pouring rain.
collocation: pull on rubbers
A pair of black rubbers sat by the back door next to the wooden umbrella stand.
Yael's grandmother insisted that the children wear rubbers to keep their school shoes clean on muddy days.
Rubbers were once a common sight in school cloakrooms across the country during winter.
- galoshes
the more common term today for rubber overshoes
- overshoes
a general term for any footwear worn over regular shoes
- wellies / Wellington boots
British term for tall rubber boots, not just overshoes
用法筆記
Dated term. In modern usage, 'galoshes' or simply 'rain boots' / 'wellies' (British informal) are more common. Older American speakers may still use 'rubbers' for this meaning.
6. the final match or game in a series — typically a best-of-three or best-of-five
the final match or game in a series — typically a best-of-three or best-of-five contest — that decides the overall winner when each side has an equal number of wins so far.
The cricket series was tied at one match each, so the third game became the rubber.
collocation: become the rubber
The Watanabe sisters won the first two rounds of bridge, taking the rubber without needing a third.
A rubber in a five-match test series can last for several days and draw huge crowds.
The team captain decided that the rubber would be played the following afternoon at the main stadium.
- rubber match
the deciding game in a series; interchangeable with 'rubber' in many contexts
- decider
informal term for any match that decides the winner of a series
- final game
neutral and widely understood, but lacks the specific 'tied series' nuance
用法筆記
Most common in British English — especially cricket (where a whole series is called a 'rubber') and card games such as bridge and whist. In American English, this sense is rare outside of bridge clubs.