rug

American  

[ruhg] / rʌg /

noun

1. a thick fabric for covering part of a floor, often woven of wool and often having an oblong shape with a border design.

2. the treated skin of an animal, used as a floor covering.

   a bear rug.

3. Chiefly British. a piece of thick, warm cloth, used as a coverlet, lap robe, etc.

4. Slang. toupee; hairpiece.

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idioms

1. cut a rug, to dance, especially to jitterbug.

rug ¹ British  

/ rʌɡ /

noun

1. a floor covering, smaller than a carpet and made of thick wool or of other material, such as an animal skin

2. a blanket, esp one used as a wrap or lap robe for travellers

3. slang a wig

4. to betray, expose, or leave defenceless

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RUG ² British  

abbreviation

1. restricted users group

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rug More Idioms  

1. see pull the rug out from under; sweep under the rug. Also see under carpet.

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Other Word Forms

• ruglike adjective

Etymology

Origin of rug

1545–55; < Old Norse rǫgg wool, long hairs; compare Norwegian rugga covering of coarse wool, Swedish rugg coarse hair

Example Sentences

In earlier experiments, the researchers studied young adults by suddenly destabilizing them, essentially pulling a rug out from under their feet.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2026

A small hexagonal black coffee table is perched in front of the couch, while a black-and-tan patterned rug adds some texture and depth to the space.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Robe offset the pervasive green with a wool rug from Stark that provides warmth underfoot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

One bedroom had a zebra skin rug on the floor.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

Then I pull myself up and crawl out from under the rug.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Related Words

• carpeting
• mat
• tapestry