rug
noun
a thick fabric for covering part of a floor, often woven of wool and often having an oblong shape with a border design.
rug
American
[ruhg]
/ rʌg /
noun
-
rugs
plural
-
a thick fabric for covering part of a floor, often woven of wool and often having an oblong shape with a border design.
-
the treated skin of an animal, used as a floor covering.
a bear rug.
-
Chiefly British. a piece of thick, warm cloth, used as a coverlet, lap robe, etc.
-
Slang. toupee; hairpiece.
idioms
rug
1
British
/ rʌɡ /
noun
-
a floor covering, smaller than a carpet and made of thick wool or of other material, such as an animal skin
-
a blanket, esp one used as a wrap or lap robe for travellers
-
slang a wig
-
to betray, expose, or leave defenceless
RUG
2
British
abbreviation
rug
More Idioms
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of rug
1545–55; < Old Norse rǫgg wool, long hairs; compare Norwegian rugga covering of coarse wool, Swedish rugg coarse hair
Explanation
A rug is something made of woven fabric that covers a floor. If your downstairs neighbor is complaining about the noise, try buying a rug. A rug is smaller than a carpet, which usually covers a room's entire floor — rugs leave parts of the floor exposed. Some are thick and dense, providing a cushiony area for walking or sitting. Rug also informally means "wig or toupee," so you could say, "Did you see that guy's terrible blonde rug?" And if you want to pretend something didn't happen, you'll have to colloquially "sweep it under the rug," or hide it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"Once we've pulled the rug out from underneath that relationship, it's really difficult to build it back," Logan said, pointing to strong competition from producers like Brazil and Argentina.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
Questions about its finances — let alone about its ownership — were swept under the rug.
From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026
He grew frustrated at what he perceived to be attempts to sweep the matter under the rug.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
“Every decision that they make is structured based on that so it really pulls the rug out,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
“You pulled the rug right out from under him.”
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
A RUG Made of narrow strips of cotton cloth.
From Construction Work for Rural and Elementary Schools by Virginia McGaw
“Business areas to call out would be candles, throws, rugs and lamps. Those all posted double-digit and triple-digit comps.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
Audit your vents and outdoor unit: Ensure furniture, rugs or curtains aren’t blocking indoor supply or return vents.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 29, 2026
He sold prayer beads, rugs and an array of snacks.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026
Although she chased cats, bit bus conductors and left messes on other people’s rugs, Tulip was inarguably the love of J.R.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 23, 2026
The women of the tribe were off beyond the tents shaking dust from little rugs.
From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
