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 mop self-washes with hot water every cycle, not cold, and the Triple Lift system automatically lifts the mop off the carpet, so your rugs stay dry while hard floors receive the full vacuum-plus-mop treatment in one run. —PC Magazine, 20 Nov. 2025

Use area rugs in high-traffic areas like entryways or in spaces where kids and pets play to prevent scratches. —Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2025

Each rug is handwoven by skilled artisans in India and created in collaboration with GoodWeave, ensuring fair labor practices and supporting education within global weaving communities. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Nov. 2025

Sunlight spills into the office past tall plants and onto the thick rug. —Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 18 Nov. 2025

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