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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

Rug

ruhg
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Rug (noun) means a piece of thick fabric used to cover part of a floor. Example: “They laid a wool rug in front of the fireplace.”

noun
1
A piece of thick fabric used to cover part of a floor.
"Furnish every sleeping apartment with a sufficient number of toilet utensils and bedsteads, and sufficient bedding so that each bed shall be provided with a mattress, two sheets, a rug, and, in winter time, not less than one additional rug." — Government Gazette of Western Australia (1906)
"They laid a wool rug in front of the fireplace."
"He brought with him a rug and a sheet, and lay down by the fire." — Alan Sharpe, Vivien Encel (1997)

How to use Rug

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA floor covering, smaller than a carpet, often used to decorate or add warmth to a room.

Common pairings
throw rug roll out a rug area rug
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Word forms

Plural
Rugs
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They laid a wool _____ in front of the fireplace.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain, but it is probably North Germanic, perhaps inherited via Middle English *rugge (as suggested by Middle English ruggy, "hairy, shaggy, bristly", and rugged, "hairy, shaggy, rugged"), from Old Norse rǫgg ("shagginess, tuft"), from Proto-Germanic *rawwō ("long wool"), probably related to *rūhaz ("rough") and to English rag and rough. It is cognate with dialectal Norwegian rugga ("coarse coverlet") and Swedish rugg ("rough entangled hair"), also related to English rag and rough. Compare too Old English rȳhe ("rug, rough covering, blanket").

Origin: Old Norse

Synonyms

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carpet mat runner carpeting

Related words

felt Matt runner carpet messenger mat courier matte

Rhymes for Rug

drug Krug shrug
See all rhymes for Rug →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Rug” mean?
The word “Rug” means a piece of thick fabric used to cover part of a floor. In plain terms, a floor covering, smaller than a carpet, often used to decorate or add warmth to a room.
How do you pronounce “Rug”?
“Rug” is pronounced ruhg (/ɹʌɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Rug” in a sentence?
Here is “Rug” used in a sentence: “They laid a wool rug in front of the fireplace.”
What part of speech is “Rug”?
“Rug” is a noun.
Is “Rug” a common word?
“Rug” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between a rug and a carpet?
A rug is a piece of thick fabric that covers only part of a floor, while a carpet typically covers an entire room and is often fitted wall to wall. Rugs are generally movable and can be placed over any flooring, whereas carpet is usually fixed in place.
What is the difference between a rug and a mat?
A rug tends to be larger and used as a decorative floor covering, while a mat is usually smaller and placed in a specific spot, such as by a doorway, for practical purposes like wiping feet. Both cover only part of a floor, but rugs are more associated with décor.
Is a rug the same as a doormat?
No, a doormat is a specific type of small mat placed at an entrance for cleaning shoes, while a rug is a broader term for any piece of thick fabric covering part of a floor, indoors or as a decorative feature.

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