rug

[ ruhg ]

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. Compare carpet.
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.

rug

¹

/ 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. pull the rug out from under
   pull the rug out from under to betray, expose, or leave defenceless

RUG

²

abbreviation for

1. restricted users group

Derived Forms

• ˈrugˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• ruglike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rug¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rug¹

C16: from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian rugga , Swedish rugg coarse hair. See rag ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

More idioms and phrases containing rug

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

Example Sentences

In addition to adjusting to a new culture, Magbegor felt undereducated on the history and marginalization of indigenous Australians, something she says is often swept under the rug in the country’s school system.

From Ozy

Bissell’s Crosswave vacuum cleaner is designed specifically for heavy debris and hair collection on a variety of surfaces from sealed hardwood and laminate floors to carpet, area rugs, and everywhere in between.

From Popular-Science

Its six rotary-selectable settings are tailored for drapes, furniture, rugs, bare floors, carpet, and more.

From Popular-Science

If that’s not possible, avoid working out on a carpet or rug, since it will literally soak up your sweat.

From Popular-Science

There’s a divide being created I hope we can sweep under the rug when it’s time to go back.

From Voice of San Diego

The “24-hour news cycle” just makes them harder to sweep under the rug and ignore.

From The Daily Beast

“I had to lie on a huge, fur rug and have a nightmare,” Prince Charles told his biographer, Jonathan Dimbleby.

From The Daily Beast

Or, to put it more accurately: conflict is inevitably swept under the rug, at any and all costs.

From The Daily Beast

A barefoot corpse in camouflaged khakis is being carried into the street, partially wrapped in rug, as I enter the house.

From The Daily Beast

That is, until he ditches the crutches and really cuts a rug, to the delight of everyone looking on.

From The Daily Beast

The motherly woman received the babe instinctively and cast aside the travelling-rug in which he was enveloped.

From Project Gutenberg

Though she was warmly wrapped in a soft rug of silvery fur, a chill crept into her heart.

From Project Gutenberg

When Yung Pak ate his meals, he sat upon a rug on the floor with his father and such male guests as might be in the house.

From Project Gutenberg

The cigar stump held firmly between his teeth, he stood on the rug before the hearth, facing the door.

From Project Gutenberg

On the sheepskin rug before the fire a Manx cat was dozing beside a pair of carpet slippers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• carpeting
• mat
• tapestry