Synonyms

welcome mat

American

noun

a doormat, especially one with the word “welcome” printed on it.

idioms

put out the welcome mat, to extend a hearty welcome.

The club put out the welcome mat for new members.

welcome mat More Idioms

A friendly welcome, as in They put out the welcome mat for all new members. This expression alludes to a doormat with the word “Welcome” printed on it. [Mid-1900]

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:

welcome mat

Jesus would not only roll out the welcome mat for homeless people — he would embrace them.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2026

It’s emblazoned right on the welcome mat: Um estilo de vida.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026

“Nice shoes!” read the welcome mat inside the CitizenM Paris Gare de Lyon hotel—a fitting quip since I already knew I would be walking a lot to avoid expensive ride-shares and taxis.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 14, 2026

A welcome mat doesn’t get more welcoming than that for a conductor, and this is someone who has yet no official title with the orchestra.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2025

Sohrab waited for me in the doorway, staring at the welcome mat, with his hands behind his back.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023