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

• hairpiece
• toupee
• wig

Example Sentences

I accidentally spilled wine on the rug.

You could tell that he was wearing a rug.

Recent Examples on the Web

For a breakfast nook in a Brooklyn townhouse, designer Kate Reynolds paired an eye-catching purple rug with a banquette covered in a blue and white Zak+Fox patterned fabric. —Kate Mcgregor, ELLE Decor, 17 Jan. 2023

In this one, the floors are kept clear aside from the jute rug and a relaxing sage green paint color sets the scene. —Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 13 Jan. 2023

The moody hue is complemented by a luxurious, upholstered platform bed and bright-white details, including a fluffy rug, contemporary waterfall desk and a pair of comfy armchairs. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 12 Jan. 2023

Upgrading a living room sofa, discovering a vintage mirror to complete a mantel setup or snagging the perfect rug to ground a space are all valid reasons to shop online second-hand furniture stores. —Monique Valeris, Good Housekeeping, 9 Jan. 2023

The rug came from the owners’ long ago trip to Morocco. —Marni Elyse Katz, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Jan. 2023

On a visit in October, the bedroom rug squished underfoot like a wet sponge. —Peter Whoriskey, Washington Post, 2 Jan. 2023

The rug itself is constructed of polypropylene, a plastic blend that’s durable enough to stand up to the elements. —Lily Sperry, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Dec. 2022

The lines in the rug, for instance, evoke the Pinheiros River that runs through the city. —Dana Givens, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2022

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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

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

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

See More

Kids Definition

rug

noun

ˈrəg 

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