Search
Select the dictionary language
Rubby
01
(Canada) rubbing alcohol
Slang
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
rubbies
What does "rubby" mean in Canadian slang?
The structure is a clipped shortening of "rubbing alcohol," dropping the middle syllables and adding a casual "-y" ending. It is used in Canada to refer to rubbing alcohol, often in medical, cleaning, or household contexts. People typically say "Get the rubby for that cut" or "I cleaned the glass with rubby." The term originated in Canadian English, likely as a practical shortening among families and caregivers, and remains common in casual speech.
Examples
Grab some rubby from the cupboard.
02
(Canada) a person who drinks excessively
Slang
Examples
He 's a real rubby after the party.



























