scrubs
Noun (plural form, used with a plural verb) 1. Protective outer garments worn by medical personnel, especially surgeons, during surgical procedures or in sterile environments. This refers specifically to the loose-fitting, short-sleeved shirt and drawstring pants, typically made of cotton or a cotton-polyester blend, designed to be sterile or clean. 2. (Informal) The clothing worn by medical staff, such as doctors and nurses, while working in a hospital or clinic. While originally for sterile environments, the term is now commonly used for the standard work attire in many healthcare settings.
The word "scrubs" is almost always used in its plural form to refer to the two-piece garment set. It functions as a plural noun. * Surgeons change into clean scrubs before entering the operating room. * The new nurse was excited to wear her first pair of scrubs. * Hospital policy requires all staff in this ward to wear scrubs.
- To be in scrubs: To be wearing scrubs, often implying one is on duty or in a professional medical role.
- You can tell she's a doctor; she's always in scrubs when she leaves the house.
- A set/pair of scrubs: A common way to refer to one complete outfit.
- I need to buy a new set of scrubs for my clinical rotation.
- Scrub suit: A more formal term for the same garment, emphasizing its purpose as a uniform.
- Surgical gown: A related but distinct garment; a gown worn over scrubs during surgery to maintain sterility. It is not synonymous with "scrubs."
- Surgical attire
- Medical uniform
- OR attire (Operating Room attire)
The word "scrubs" is a distinct noun from the verb "to scrub" (to clean by rubbing hard) and the uncountable noun "scrub" (referring to stunted trees/vegetation or an inferior player). The medical garment is exclusively "scrubs" in the plural form.
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protective garment worn by surgeons during operations
