ゴム

ごむ
noun
rubber, eraser
1. rubber
An elastic material made from latex or synthetic compounds.
ゴム製(せい)の手袋(てぶくろ)をはめる。
I put on rubber gloves.
この靴(くつ)の底(そこ)はゴムでできている。
The soles of these shoes are made of rubber.
ゴムは熱(ねつ)に弱(よわ)いので、火(ひ)のそばに置(お)かないでください。
Rubber is sensitive to heat, so please don't place it near fire.
2. eraser
A rubber tool for erasing pencil marks.
ゴムで間違(まちが)いを消(け)す。
I erase the mistake with an eraser.
消(け)しゴムを忘(わす)れたので、友達(ともだち)に借(か)りた。
I forgot my eraser, so I borrowed one from a friend.
この消(け)しゴムはよく消(き)える。
This eraser erases well.
3. rubber band, elastic
A loop of rubber for holding things together.
髪(かみ)をゴムで結(むす)ぶ。
I tie my hair with a rubber band.
書類(しょるい)を輪(わ)ゴムでまとめる。
To bundle documents with a rubber band.
子供(こども)たちが輪(わ)ゴムを使(つか)って工作(こうさく)をしている。
The children are making crafts with rubber bands.

ゴム covers rubber as a material, erasers, and elastic bands depending on context.

ETYMOLOGY:
From Dutch "gom" or Portuguese "goma."

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 消(け)しゴム: eraser (the standard word; often shortened to ゴム in context)
  • 輪(わ)ゴム: rubber band
  • ゴム手袋(てぶくろ): rubber gloves
  • ゴム長靴(ながぐつ): rubber boots
  • ゴムひも: elastic cord / bungee cord
  • ゴム底(ぞこ): rubber sole

CONFUSION NOTE:
ゴム and ガム (chewing gum) sound similar but are different words. ガム is from English "gum," while ゴム is from Dutch/Portuguese.

USAGE:
When ゴム is used alone, the intended meaning depends on context — in a classroom it typically means eraser, while in a hardware or craft context it means rubber material or rubber band.

Related Words

Related: ガム (chewing gum)
general
Added 2026.1.13 9:40 · Revised 2026.4.7 12:52
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