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

About a year ago, Gracie began urinating on a particular rug. — Cathy M. Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

The store’s décor may consist of old rugs and retro light fixtures, but Tip Top’s luster comes from its devotion to customer service. — New York Times, 31 July 2026

One of the biggest problems with bedroom rugs is that most of the design gets hidden beneath the bed frame. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 July 2026

The compact machine is easy to carry from room to room and works on everything from carpets and area rugs to upholstery and car interiors. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 30 July 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