What does rubbishing mean?
Rubbishing is an informal British and Australian English word for something that is worthless, badly made, or of very poor quality. As an adjective, it can describe objects, performances, excuses, language, or decisions: a referee’s “rubbishing decision” was simply a bad decision. The word can also be used as the present participle of “rubbish,” meaning to criticize something as worthless, as in a politician “rubbishing” an opponent’s policy. Its coloration is blunt and dismissive rather than neutral, so it is common in conversation, criticism, reviews, and informal writing but generally avoided in formal or diplomatic contexts. North American speakers are more likely to use “terrible,” “awful,” “worthless,” or “poor-quality” instead.
Worthless, inferior, or of very poor quality.
"He was fired after making a rubbishing excuse."
Informal and chiefly British or Australian English.
Present participle of “rubbish”: to criticize something as worthless or useless.
"The minister spent the interview rubbishing the proposal."
Informal and chiefly British or Australian English.
The activity of criticizing something as worthless or useless.
"The interview consisted largely of political rubbishing."
A chiefly British and Australian verbal noun, usually used in informal contexts.
In British English, calling something “rubbishing” is a quick way to dismiss it as both poorly made and utterly pointless.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rubbishing come from?
“Rubbishing” is formed from “rubbish,” an alteration of “rubles” or “rubble,” words associated with broken stone and fragments of waste. “Rubbish” developed from the sense of broken or waste material into the broader sense of anything useless or of little value. The adjective and verbal forms became established in British English, where they remain especially common, while the related word “rubbishy” also describes something of poor quality.
Related word forms
How rubbishing is actually used
Rubbishing is informal and has a dismissive, often strongly critical tone. It is especially common in British and Australian English; in formal writing, “worthless,” “poor-quality,” or “inadequate” are usually more suitable.
Easily confused with rubbishing
Rubbish is the more general word for something considered worthless or of poor quality, while rubbishing is an adjective or verbal form used especially in British English.