noun
rubber
An elastic material used to make flexible products.
The rubber in these boots keeps my feet dry.
Etymology
The material was named for its ability to rub out pencil marks. The erasing use supplied the name that later covered its many other elastic applications.
More examples
- These tires are made of tough rubber.
- Soft rubber covers the handle for a comfortable grip.
- The rubber stretches and then returns to its original shape.
Forms
rubber
rubbery adjective — Flexible and elastic like rubber.
rubberize verb — To coat or treat with rubber.
Similar words
- elastomer
- Technical term for a polymer that stretches and recovers.