Meaning & use
throw rug
Last updated
UK/ˈθrəʊ rʌɡ/
US/ˈθroʊ rʌɡ/
Meaning
nouncountable
A small, light rug laid on a floor that can be moved easily, often near a door or bed.
Grammar: Countable: a throw rug, two throw rugs.
Patterns
- a throw rug by something
She laid a throw rug in front of the kitchen sink.
He tripped over the edge of a throw rug in the hallway.
A woolen throw rug warmed the cold tile floor.
Word forms
| plural | throw rugs |
|---|
Common combinations
- small throw rug
- A small throw rug sat under the coffee table.
- slip on a throw rug
- Grandpa nearly slipped on a throw rug.
- non-slip throw rug
- We bought a non-slip throw rug for the bathroom.
- wash a throw rug
- You can wash a throw rug in the machine.
Synonyms and how they differ
- area rug
- An area rug is usually larger and used to define a seating area, whereas a throw rug is small and easily moved.
- scatter rug
- Scatter rug is nearly identical in meaning but sounds more old-fashioned, since small rugs were once scattered around a room.
- mat
- A mat is often thinner or tougher and used by a door, while a throw rug is a softer decorative piece.
Opposites
wall-to-wall carpet
Word family
Commonly confused: throw rug or throw?
throw rug vs throw
A throw by itself is a light blanket for a sofa. A throw rug goes on the floor.
Practice
To stop people slipping on the smooth floor, she put a non-slip ___ by the door.
Choose one answer.
A throw rug is a small floor covering. A throw pillow and a throw blanket are for sofas and beds, so they would not help on the floor.
Make it your own
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