# rubbing

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹʌbɪŋ/ · frequency rank #11,108

## Definitions
1. An impression of an embossed or incised surface made by placing a piece of paper over it and rubbing with graphite, crayon or other coloring agent.

## Etymology
From Middle English rubbinge, rubbynge, equivalent to rub + -ing.

## Easily confused with
- **Rubin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rubbing-vs-rubin)
- **ruling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rubbing-vs-ruling)
- **running** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rubbing-vs-running)
- **rushing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rubbing-vs-rushing)
- **rubbish** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rubbing-vs-rubbish)
- **rusting** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rubbing-vs-rusting)
- **rumbling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rubbing-vs-rumbling)
- **robbing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/robbing-vs-rubbing)

## Common misspellings (9)
`rbubing`, `rrubbing`, `rubbign`, `rubbingg`, `rubbinng`, `rubbnig`, `rubibng`, `rubing`, `urbbing`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/rubbing