rubbery

Everyday

1. Like rubber: soft and bendy, or bouncy. tree →
2. (food) Tough and chewy in an unpleasant way, often because it was cooked too long. tree →
3. (legs, informal) Weak and wobbly, from fear or tiredness. tree →

In the lessons

In science, describing materials: a rubbery material is flexible and springs back. In cooking, overcooked eggs or squid go rubbery. In stories, «my legs felt rubbery» shows fear or exhaustion. Phrases: «rubbery texture», «rubbery legs», «rubbery eggs».

Examples

• The jelly felt rubbery and wobbly. tree →
• The squid was overcooked and rubbery. tree →
• After the long race my legs felt rubbery. tree →
• The new trainers have rubbery soles that grip the floor. tree →
• The octopus has rubbery arms. tree →
• The scrambled eggs went rubbery in the microwave. tree →

Note

Comparatives: rubberier, rubberiest (rare; «more rubbery» is common). From «rubber» + -y. Related words: elastic, flexible, bouncy, chewy.