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

Then in 2018, HGTV bought the property and recreated the interiors right down to the orange countertops, avocado refrigerator and shag rugs of sets originally built inside a soundstage at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. —Peter Larsen, Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026

The desk is antique and the rug is an antique kilim from Turkey. —Alyssa Bird, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2026

Anchor the seating area in your backyard living room with this durable outdoor rug. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Outdoor rugs are underrated as pieces of decor—they’re one of the easiest ways to make your space look intentionally put together with minimal effort. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 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