Rub vs. Massage — What's the Difference?

Apply firm pressure to the surface of (something), using a repeated back and forth motion

Massage is the manipulation of the body's soft tissues. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet, or a device.

(with reference to two things) move or cause to move to and fro against each other with a certain amount of friction

The rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints of the body with the hands, especially to relieve tension or pain

An act of rubbing

Rub and knead (a person or part of the body) with the hands

The central problem or difficulty in a situation

Manipulate (facts or figures) to give a more acceptable result

(in bowling) an uneven patch of ground that impedes or diverts a bowl.

The therapeutic manipulation of body tissues by a trained practitioner, as by systematic stroking, kneading, or application of pressure, to effect a beneficial physiological response such as pain reduction or improved circulation.

To apply pressure and friction to (a surface).

An act or instance of the therapeutic manipulation of body tissues. Also called therapeutic massage.

To clean, polish, or manipulate by the application of pressure and friction.

The rubbing or kneading of parts of the body to relax the muscles, aid circulation, or provide sensual pleasure.

To apply to a surface firmly and with friction

An act or instance of such rubbing or kneading.

To move (an object or objects) firmly along a surface, especially repeatedly

The manipulation of the genitals or other body tissues for sexual arousal; erotic massage.

To cause to become worn, chafed, or irritated.

An act or instance of erotic massage.

To remove, erase, or expunge

Illicit sexual services provided under the guise of therapeutic massage.

To exert pressure or friction on something.

To give a massage to.

To wear or chafe with friction

To treat by means of a massage.

To cause irritation or annoyance.

To coddle or cajole.

To move along in contact with a surface; graze or scrape.

To manipulate (data, for example)

To be transferred or removed by contact or proximity

The action of rubbing, kneading or hitting someone's body, to help the person relax, prepare for muscular action (as in contact sports) or to relieve aches.

The act of rubbing.

(transitive) To rub and knead (someone's body or a part of a body), to perform a massage on (somebody).

The application of friction and pressure

(transitive) To manipulate (data, a document etc.) to make it more presentable or more convenient to work with.

A liniment or balm.

(transitive) To falsify (data or accounts).

A seasoning made of ground spices and herbs, applied to the surface of meat, fish, or vegetables before cooking.

A rubbing or kneading of the body, especially when performed as a hygienic or remedial measure.

An unevenness on a surface.

To treat by means of massage; to rub or knead; as, to massage a patient with ointment.

An act or remark that annoys or hurts another.

Kneading and rubbing parts of the body to increase circulation and promote relaxation

A difficulty or obstacle

Manually manipulate (someone's body), usually for medicinal or relaxation purposes;

An act of rubbing.

Give a massage to;

A difficulty or problem.

(archaic) A quip or sarcastic remark.

In the game of crown green bowls, any obstacle by which a bowl is diverted from its normal course.

Any substance designed to be applied by rubbing.

A mixture of spices applied to meat before it is barbecued.

A loan.

(transitive) To move (one object) while maintaining contact with another object over some area, with pressure and friction.

(transitive) To rub something against (a second thing).

(intransitive) To be rubbed against something.

(transitive) To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.

(dated) To move or pass with difficulty.

To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; often with up or over.

To hinder; to cross; to thwart.

To touch the jack with the bowl.

To subject (a body) to the action of something moving over its surface with pressure and friction, especially to the action of something moving back and forth; as, to rub the flesh with the hand; to rub wood with sandpaper.

To move over the surface of (a body) with pressure and friction; to graze; to chafe; as, the boat rubs the ground.

To cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface; as, to rub the hand over the body.

To spread a substance thinly over; to smear.

To scour; to burnish; to polish; to brighten; to cleanse; - often with up or over; as, to rub up silver.

To hinder; to cross; to thwart.

To move along the surface of a body with pressure; to grate; as, a wheel rubs against the gatepost.

To fret; to chafe; as, to rub upon a sore.

To move or pass with difficulty; as, to rub through woods, as huntsmen; to rub through the world.

The act of rubbing; friction.

That which rubs; that which tends to hinder or obstruct motion or progress; hindrance; obstruction, an impediment; especially, a difficulty or obstruction hard to overcome; a pinch.

Inequality of surface, as of the ground in the game of bowls; unevenness.

Something grating to the feelings; sarcasm; joke; as, a hard rub.

Imperfection; failing; fault.

A chance.

A stone, commonly flat, used to sharpen cutting tools; a whetstone; - called also rubstone.

An unforeseen obstacle

The act of rubbing or wiping;

Move over something with pressure;

Cause friction;

Scrape or rub as if to relieve itching;