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)

see also:

pull the rug from under

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

Some rooms nod to Soll’s leanings toward minimalism like an office with a midcentury desk and a 1970s tapestry and the dining room where a Sergio Bustamante table and a Chinese Art Deco rug are the main attractions. — Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 2026

Riley Green, Carly Pearce, Jake Owen, and others voiced support for the 68-year-old, followed by Rodney Atkins, a 2000s radio star who claimed he, too, was denied an amble down the CMAs’ rug. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2026

Warm orange touches in textured rugs and display case interiors aim to capture the rich, rosy light of Roman sunsets. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026

The living spaces are impeccably done in muted earth tones and white plaster floors, accented with handmade rugs, African art and textiles, fur throws, and a fireplace. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Nov. 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