rug

noun

ˈrəg 

1

: lap robe

2

: a piece of thick heavy fabric that usually has a nap or pile and is used as a floor covering

3

: a floor mat of an animal pelt

a bearskin rug

4

slang : toupee sense 1

5

British : a blanket for an animal (such as a horse or dog)

Synonyms of rug

• wig
• toupee
• hairpiece

Examples of rug in a Sentence

I accidentally spilled wine on the rug.

You could tell that he was wearing a rug.

Recent Examples on the Web

Add a touch of color with these artificial flowers or revamp your living room with a fresh area rug. —Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2026

The home guru’s high-end furnishings and decor, such as modern area rugs, rustic armchairs, and console tables, are discounted, along with charming bed upgrades. —Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026

Not one but two heaters; one wall mounted right next to the bed and one electric fur rug for under foot comfort. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026

In the office, Caillier color-drenched the walls in Farrow & Ball’s Minster Green, then layered-in a playful Julian Chichester desk chair with a splatter-like Svenskt Tenn fabric atop an antique rag rug. —Allison Duncan, Architectural Digest, 21 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English *rug rag, tuft, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect rugga coarse rug, Old Norse rǫgg tuft

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rug

• cut a rug
• flokati rug
• lie like a rug
• Oriental rug
• prayer rug
• pull the rug from under
• rug rat
• scatter rug
• steamer rug
• sweep (something) under the rug
• throw rug

Rhymes for rug

• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• hug
• jug
• lug
• mug
• plug
• pug
• rugg
• shrug

Kids Definition

rug

noun

ˈrəg 

: a piece of thick heavy fabric usually with a nap or pile used as a floor covering