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

Chunky chairs, ikat wallpaper, and not a straight line to be seen, plus patterns, fringes, statement pompoms, and colorful rugs. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026

The key is to choose a thick rug, and her go-to is wool. —Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026

To keep extension cords out of sight, you might be tempted to hide them under your rug, carpet, or couch. —Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 13 Mar. 2026

At the same time, minimalists might lean into textured neutrals or full-color drenching, using similar tones across walls, rugs, and textiles to reduce contrast. —Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 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