rug

noun \ ˈrəg \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: rug in a Sentence

Definition of rug

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 1

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

See rug defined for English-language learners

See rug defined for kids

Examples of rug in a Sentence

I accidentally spilled wine on the rug.
You could tell that he was wearing a rug.

Recent Examples of rug from the Web

The living room, on the other side of the staircase, has a light gray leather seating arrangement of two sofas with golden pillows accenting the rug and wood floor.

— diane fiske, Philly.com, "Restaurateur Steve Poses settles into a new kitchen - at home in South Philly," 5 June 2018
Daphne Loney's set, with two sets of steps on either side, is dominated by an elegant floor-sized rug and a starkly white daybed blanketed in bright blossoms.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "Intense production makes rare staging of Genet's 'The Maids' a standout," 1 June 2018
The soulful vocal cuts a rug and runs a gamut of pitches straight into our hearts.

— kat bein, Billboard, "Don Diablo's 10 Best Songs: Critic's Picks," 29 May 2018
Partly this was thanks to Kime and his choices: bedrooms in faded fabrics, stripes, and floral designs; four-poster beds for guests; rugs and runners of a certain vintage on wooden floors.

— david usborne, Town & Country, "The Mysterious Case of the Parnham House Fire," 29 May 2018
In the lounge area, a scarf by L.A. company Block Shop was repurposed into a wall hanging next to the seating area with layered rugs and an Anthropologie settee.

— jessica ritz, latimes.com, "A DTLA jewelry designer's studio and showroom get a shining makeover," 26 May 2018
Soft pink walls match the rug and pink swans on the crib sheets, and a simple white dresser ties back to the room’s molding.

— danielle fox, ELLE Decor, "Khloe Kardashian Shares the First Peek at True’s Adorable Nursery," 21 May 2018
The space features modern furniture, fancy light fixtures, posh rugs and art, high-end bathroom finishes and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.

— cleveland.com, "Buy a piece of ECOT: Barbie dolls, Billy Bass and bone fragments -- the troubled charter school's up for auction," 15 May 2018
Birch Lane: Memorial Day pre-sale includes up to 60 percent off indoor and outdoor furniture, rugs, lighting and more.

— emily heller, Curbed, "All the best Memorial Day 2018 home goods sales to shop this week," 22 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rug.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of rug

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

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First Known Use: 1591

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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RUG Defined for English Language Learners

rug

noun

Definition of rug for English Language Learners

: a piece of thick, heavy material that is used to cover usually a section of a floor
: a small wig that is usually worn by a man to cover a bald spot
: a blanket that you put over your lap and legs to keep them warm