rug

USAGE SUMMARY

"rug" is an appropriate word to use in written English.
It can be used as both a noun and a verb. Noun: The cozy rug in the living room made the space seem inviting. Verb: I rug the floor every other week to keep it clean.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your salary is supposed to be private so it's easily swept under the rug".

The Guardian - Film

"Technically, it was smuggling, since it was all done under the rug," Ali explains.

The Guardian

"It was such a yank of the rug out from under me, but I wrote it to find language for a very primitive emotional experience that might have resonance for others.

The Guardian - Books

In Dolce & Gabbana, on Via della Spiga, a woman disappeared to the changing room to try on a silver-thread pinstripe suit while her pair of fine pedigree dogs lazed on a zebra skin rug in the middle of the store.

The Guardian - Travel

Officer Caster told me that Scott's death was also never considered a hate crime – and so one bias-motivated killing got swept under the rug, instead of helping to prevent another.

The Guardian - Opinion

The move has been criticised by Democrats and even some Republicans as an amateurish attempt to pull the rug from beneath a president at the height of delicate negotiations.

The Guardian

An early pledge that I will be allowed to contest the-one-member-one vote ballot for the Labour nomination would pull the rug from under Jeffrey Archer and unite the London Labour Party.

The Guardian

Bishop's Cape red Tibetan wool and silk rug, £1,710 per sq m, by Diane von Furstenberg.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So I went home and streamed a few minutes of my baby on a rug, before quickly realising that there are better things in life than pimping out children to sate your overwhelming desire for attention, and switched it off.

The Guardian

President Theodore Roosevelt compared the painting unfavourably to a Navajo rug.

The Guardian - Arts

Introduce pattern with a rug.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a space, be specific about the type of "rug". Is it a Persian rug, an area rug, or a simple mat? The details add depth to your descriptions.

Common error

While "rug" can technically be a verb (meaning to pull roughly), it's rarely used in modern English. Avoid using it as a verb to prevent confusion; use a more common verb like "pull" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "rug" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a partial covering for a floor. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies it mainly as a noun, although it can also function as a verb, albeit rarely in modern usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "rug" is primarily a noun referring to a floor covering, with a secondary, less common use as a verb. Ludwig AI confirms its primary function as a noun and highlights its varied use across different contexts. It is grammatically correct and frequently used, as confirmed by numerous examples. Its register is generally neutral, appearing in both formal and informal settings. While alternatives like "carpet" or "mat" exist, "rug" maintains its own specific connotation related to size and purpose. Be mindful of its infrequent verbal form to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carpet

A more general term for a floor covering, typically wall-to-wall.

area rug

A rug that covers a specific area of the floor, leaving some of the floor exposed.

mat

A smaller, often decorative floor covering.

throw rug

A small rug, often used for decorative purposes or to provide warmth.

floor mat

Similar to a mat, often used for function rather than decoration.

floor covering

A broad term encompassing various materials used to cover floors.

persian rug

A rug originating from Persia (modern-day Iran), known for intricate designs.

kilim

A flat-woven rug or carpet produced in the countries of the former Ottoman Empire, Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkic countries.

carpet square

Individual pieces of carpet that can be arranged to cover a floor.

door mat

A mat placed at an entrance to wipe shoes.

FAQs

How can I use "rug" in a sentence?

You can use "rug" as a noun to refer to a floor covering, as in "The cat is sleeping on the rug". It can also be part of idiomatic expressions like "sweep it under the rug", meaning to conceal or ignore something.

What are some synonyms for "rug"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "carpet", "mat", or "floor covering". The best choice depends on the size, material, and function of the floor covering you're describing.

What does it mean to "sweep something under the rug"?

To "sweep something under the rug" is an idiom that means to hide or ignore a problem or issue, rather than dealing with it directly. It implies a temporary solution that avoids addressing the root cause.

Is it correct to use "rug" as a verb?

While technically correct, using "rug" as a verb (meaning to pull or plunder) is extremely rare in modern English. It's best to avoid using it as a verb and opt for more common and easily understood verbs like "pull" or "tug".