1 rubbish | Definition of rubbish

rubbish

noun
rub·​bish | \ ˈrə-bish How to pronounce rubbish (audio) , dialectal -bij\

Definition of rubbish

1 : useless waste or rejected matter : trash
2 : something that is worthless or nonsensical few real masterpieces are forgotten and not much rubbish survives— William Bridges-Adams

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from rubbish

rubbishy \ ˈrə-​bə-​shē How to pronounce rubbishy (audio) \ adjective

Examples of rubbish in a Sentence

Please, pick the rubbish up off the ground. I think what he says is absolute rubbish! “I'm sorry, but I had to do it.” “Rubbish!” The food at that restaurant is complete rubbish.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Protesters in turn set piles of rubbish and debris on fire, hoping to block advancing police. Washington Post, "Hong Kong protesters defy ban as clashes escalate on key pro-democracy anniversary," 31 Aug. 2019 This is rubbish - people do not like to be told what to do by people who totally disregard their own advice. Laura Hanrahan, Woman's Day, "Prince William and Kate Middleton Flew On Budget Airline After Blowback Over Harry and Megan's Private Jet Use," 23 Aug. 2019 Most Tripolitanians want a government able to collect the rubbish and an end to the militias’ extortion, their pilfering of the central bank and turf wars in the capital. The Economist, "A warlord’s offensive against Tripoli is flagging," 3 July 2019 Especially considering the 34-year-old was fairly rubbish for the vast majority of the last campaign. SI.com, "Ashley Young: Twitter Reacts as Much-Maligned Veteran Is Appointed Manchester United Captain," 4 Aug. 2019 The alternatives to plastic are pretty rubbish, too. The Economist, "Ever more countries are banning plastic bags," 24 July 2019 Yet another fire on Wednesday burned through a rubbish pile on Airway Road. Pauline Repard, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Small brush fire doused off Cactus Road in Otay Mesa," 9 Aug. 2019 The trove exists because the description is, well, rubbish. Stephen L. Carter, Twin Cities, "Stephen L. Carter: Get off the bandwagon of banning plastic bags," 7 Aug. 2019 Then recycling and rubbish materials will be collected one day later. Linda Gandee/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Westlake residents to receive new trash, recyclable carts," 16 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rubbish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of rubbish

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for rubbish

Middle English robous

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for rubbish

rubbish

noun

English Language Learners Definition of rubbish

: things that are no longer useful or wanted and that have been thrown out
chiefly British, informal : words or ideas that are foolish or untrue
informal : something that is worthless, unimportant, or of poor quality

rubbish

noun
rub·​bish | \ ˈrə-bish How to pronounce rubbish (audio) \

Kids Definition of rubbish

Keep scrolling for more