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

The eleven canvas suites are furnished in classic 1920s style, with campaign furniture, antique trunks, Persian rugs, brass fittings and vintage photographs. —Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Moroccan rugs soften the floors. —Kristen Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026

Neutral interiors—from the brown, midcentury-modern cabinetry to the sleek slate floors—were accented by rugs and decorative pillows that came in pops of red, orange, and blue. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 June 2026

The family-run business had sold handmade Oriental and Persian rugs since 1979. —Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 11 June 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