What does rubbished mean?
Rubbished is chiefly British informal English for dismissing or criticizing something as worthless. It is commonly used with proposals, arguments, films, books, performances, and public figures, and often implies that the speaker regards the subject not merely as unsuccessful but as lacking merit. Because “rubbished” is the past tense and past participle of “rubbish,” it appears in both completed actions and perfect constructions: a critic may say that reviewers rubbished a film, while another may report that the proposal has been rubbished by the government. The expression is blunt and openly dismissive rather than politely critical, so it is better suited to informal argument, reporting of hostile criticism, or emphatic commentary than to formal evaluation. It also has a somewhat comic or exaggerated quality when used as a verb, making it effective in conversation and political rhetoric.
verbTo dismiss or criticize something as worthless, often in a forceful or dismissive way. It is the past tense and past participle of the informal verb “rubbish.”
- To dismiss, reject, or criticize something or someone as worthless.
"The committee rubbished the proposal without giving its authors a serious hearing."
"Reviewers rubbished the film, complaining that its plot made no sense."
"Both sides claimed that the other had been deliberately rubbished by the media."
It delivers a verdict in one word: “rubbish.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rubbished come from?
Rubbished belongs to the word family of “rubbish,” a noun recorded in English in the 16th century and formed from “rubble” with the suffix “-ish.” The verb meaning to criticize or reject something as worthless developed later, during the 20th century, and “rubbished” is its regular past-tense and past-participle form.
Related word forms
How rubbished is actually used
The word is informal and often strongly dismissive. British speakers use it more frequently than North American speakers, who may prefer “reject,” “dismiss,” or “criticize” in formal contexts.
Easily confused with rubbished
As a noun, “rubbish” means waste or worthless material; “rubbished” is a verb form meaning to reject or criticize something as worthless.