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 new exhibit features paintings on unstretched canvases, hung on the wall like rugs. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026

Shop area rugs, accent chairs, storage solutions, and more for up to 74 percent off. —Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

The event features several dozen vendors with handmade crafts and supplies, such as artisan wool, demonstrations on wool spinning and rug weaving and workshops on crocheting to broom making. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2026

Pair them with the collection’s burl wood dining table and caramel-colored rug. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 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