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 2026.5.9 10:15

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