How to pronounce scrub
Say it like SKRUHB. Scrub is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- SKRUHB
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Scrub pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKRUHBSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of scrub
American and British speakers say scrub in essentially the same way: /skrʌb/ in the US and /skrʌb/ in the UK.
British respelling: SKRUHB.
What does scrub mean?
- A thicket or jungle, often specified by the name of the prevailing plant.“oak scrub”
- Vegetation judged to be of inferior quality or of little use to humans, though sometimes thick and impenetrable, growing in poor soil or in sand; also, brush.
- One of the common livestock of a region of no particular breed or not of pure breed, especially when inferior in size, etc.; particularly a male animal poorly suited for breeding.
- To rub hard; to wash with rubbing; usually, to rub with a wet brush, sponge or with something coarse or rough, for the purpose of cleaning or brightening.“to scrub a floor with a cleanser”
- To rub anything vigorously, especially with a wet brush; to scour.“She has been scrubbing for an hour, but the stain won't come out.”
- Synonym of scrub in (“To thoroughly wash one's hands and forearms in preparation for performing a surgery”).“The surgeon readied himself, dressing, scrubbing and checking his notes for the next patient.”
- An instance of scrubbing.
- A cancellation.
- A worn-out brush.
Where does scrub come from?
Late Middle English shrobbe in the sense of "stunted tree," a variant of shrub, from Old English scrybb.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with scrub
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of scrub.
Questions about saying scrub
How do you pronounce scrub?
Say SKRUHB. The American pronunciation is /skrʌb/. In British English it is /skrʌb/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in scrub?
Scrub is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SKRUHB.
Do Americans and Brits say scrub the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /skrʌb/ and the British form is /skrʌb/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.