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

• hairpiece
• toupee
• wig

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

Included in Wayfair’s deals are area rugs and throw pillows from Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi, lightweight blankets for cool summer nights, and floor-length mirrors to make a space feel bigger. —Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Its 301 rooms offer thoughtful design (natural wood, handwoven rugs), and guests who book Butler Elite accommodations have access to unpacking services and a private island cruise. —Jennifer Flowers, AFAR Media, 3 Apr. 2025

Our favorite spring porch finds include a rocking Adirondack chair for slow evenings spent sipping sweet tea, as well as a durable outdoor rug and a set of planters for all your container gardening needs. —Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025

In 1914, Jonathan’s great-grandfather built a thriving business in Iran, selling exquisite Persian rugs. —Kyle J. Russell, USA Today, 28 Mar. 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