Meanings
plural ruboffs · alternative rub-off
- countableuncountableThe situation where something rubs off, either physically or figuratively.
We saw good absorption and low ruboff.
1994, American Printer, volume 213, page 333 more examples
For example, if there tend to be qualitative or other "ruboffs" between product advertisements that are presented in the same spot, marketers must be extremely careful as to when, where, and with what products their ads are being seen.
1974, Southern Marketing Association, Proceedings, page 168They know that in the business world, doors open on doors through personal contact, mutual experiences and all the other ruboffs from white middle-class life style.
2000, Mary-Lou Weisman, Intensive Care: A Family Love Story, page 89[…] the researchers identified the notion of 'reputation impact', whereby creative employees were attracted to companies that were highly reputable and visible, because of the perceived reputation rub-off for the employees' personal identity […]
2010, Christine Daymon, Immy Holloway, Qualitative Research Methods in Public Relations and Marketing Communications
Origin
Deverbal from rub off.
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
ruboff. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ruboff
“ruboff.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ruboff. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “ruboff,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/ruboff.
Source: ruboff on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.