What does rubbish mean?
Rubbish is an informal word for waste material, discarded objects, or anything considered worthless. In British English it is particularly common in everyday conversation: a person may describe unwanted household items as rubbish, or dismiss an argument as rubbish when they think it is foolish or pointless. The word can also function as a verb, meaning to criticize or dismiss something as worthless, and as an adjective describing something of poor quality. Although “refuse” and “garbage” are common alternatives, rubbish often carries the additional implication that something is not merely unwanted or discarded but is of no real value. It is especially associated with British English, though it is also understood and used in American English.
Waste material or discarded objects, especially household refuse.
"The garden was full of rubbish after the festival."
Usually uncountable in the sense of discarded material; “rubbish” also means nonsense or something considered worthless.
To criticize or dismiss something or someone as worthless or deserving of contempt.
"Critics rubbished the idea as impractical."
Chiefly British and informal.
Worthless, useless, or of poor quality.
"We had to replace the rubbish equipment in the kitchen."
Chiefly British and informal.
As a mass noun meaning discarded material, it normally has no plural form.
"The restaurant was full of rubbish and broken crates."
In British English, rubbish can describe both what people throw away and what they say when they mean “nonsense.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rubbish come from?
The word is recorded in English by the late medieval period and is associated with the vocabulary of rubble and broken or crushed material. Its precise medieval origin is uncertain, and modern etymological accounts connect it with Anglo-French and Old French forms that also influenced the development of “rubble.” The modern senses developed from the idea of discarded or worthless material and later extended to figurative talk, ideas, and criticism.
Related word forms
How rubbish is actually used
The noun is informal in British English and common in everyday speech in American English as well. Its use for verbal nonsense or worthless material is especially associated with British informal usage, whereas the verb and adjective forms are chiefly British and informal.
Easily confused with rubbish
Refuse is the formal or neutral term for waste material, while rubbish is more conversational and often implies that the material is worthless.
Garbage is common in American English for discarded household waste, whereas rubbish is especially common in British English and can also mean nonsense or something worthless.