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

• 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

Area rugs will protect wood floors to some extent, as can furniture pads and regularly sweeping and cleaning. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025

Interestingly, Bridge Crew was patched in late 2017 to work without a VR headset, but this seems to have been swept under the Starfleet rug. —Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025

Fortunately, Amazon’s having an end-of-season home sale, which is currently chock-full of outlet discounts on gorgeous area rugs that add color, warmth, and texture to your space. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025

Gage suggests solid walls and a vintage rug to set the foundation for a room where the sofa will be the star. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 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