English · Word Candidate

rubbish

/ˈɹʌbɪʃ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: rubbishes · rubbisher · rubbishest · rubbishing

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Refuse, waste, garbage, junk, trash.

Noun

Examples

The rubbish is collected every Thursday in Gloucester, but on Wednesdays in Cheltenham.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An item, or items, of low quality.

Noun

Examples

Much of what they sell is rubbish.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Exceedingly bad; awful.

AdjectiveRegister: UK, colloquial

Examples

This has been a rubbish day, and it’s about to get worse: my mother-in-law is coming to stay.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Used to express that something is exceedingly bad, awful, or terrible.

InterjectionRegister: UK, colloquial

Examples

- The one day I actually practice my violin, the teacher cancels the lesson. - Aw, rubbish! Though at least this means you have time to play football.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “rubbish” mean?

Refuse, waste, garbage, junk, trash.

Is “rubbish” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.