rubout

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

An assassination.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

This high-concept take on low life includes a concealed lethal weapon (by Claire Fontaine); photographic evidence of a rubout (by Torbjorn Rodland); and cryptic, possibly sinister messages galore from Tauba Auerbach, Daniel Knorr, David Lieske and Matias Faldbakken.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “rubout” mean?

An assassination.

Is “rubout” formal or informal?

rubout is generally slang.