Meaning & use

rugs

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/rʌɡz/
US/rʌɡz/

“rugs” is a form of “rug”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A piece of thick material used as a small floor covering, often movable.

    Grammar: Countable; plural is 'rugs'. Use 'a rug' for one, 'rugs' for more than one.

    Patterns

    • a rug on the floor
    • put a rug down
    • rugs and carpets

    She bought two rugs for the living room.

    The cat is sleeping on the rug by the fire.

    We rolled up the rugs and cleaned the floor.

  2. nouncountable

    A thick cover, often wool, used for warmth or decoration.

    Grammar: Countable; often used in compounds like 'travel rug' or 'picnic rug'.

    Patterns

    • a travel rug
    • a picnic rug
    • wrap someone in a rug

    He spread a rug on the grass for the picnic.

    She wrapped the baby in a soft rug.

  3. nouncountableinformalhumorous

    A piece of false hair worn on the head, especially by men.

    Grammar: Countable; informal and often humorous.

    Patterns

    • wear a rug
    • a hair rug

    Everyone joked that he was wearing a rug.

    He denied that his hair was a rug.

Word forms

singularrug

Common combinations

a rug on the floor
There is a beautiful rug on the floor.
put a rug down
We put a rug down in the hallway.
rugs and carpets
The store sells both rugs and carpets.
a Persian rug
They have a valuable Persian rug in the dining room.

Synonyms and how they differ

carpet
A carpet usually covers a whole room and is fixed to the floor, while a rug is smaller and can be moved.
mat
A mat is smaller and often used for a specific purpose, such as a doormat or a yoga mat.

Word family

rug noun
Singular form of 'rugs'.

Commonly confused: rugs or rag?

rugs vs rag

A rag is a torn piece of cloth, often used for cleaning, while a rug is a floor covering.

Practice

Choose the correct word: The cat is sleeping on the ___ by the window.

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