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

Don’t let the building’s modern facade fool you, the rooms are minimalist yet warm with wood flooring, floral wallpaper, and hand-knotted rugs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Asha Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug If your patio is feeling sterile, layering in accents like an outdoor rug is the key to achieving a cozier vibe. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026

Perfect for a Halloween party or a night of watching scary movies, this rug is shaped like a large bloody knife. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Items like clothing and shoes are easy to return; but lugging a whole rug back to UPS? — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 1 Oct. 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