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Glite Dictionary
throw rug

throw rug

4 3.2
A small light mat placed on part of a floor to decorate or protect it
  • noun
  • /θroʊ rʌɡ/
  • US
translation icon : alfombra pequeña
  • The living room was cozy, thanks to the colorful throw rug under the coffee table.
  • throw rug on the floor
  • weave a throw rug
  • Mexican throw rug

It's quite large but would make a rather measly throw rug.

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Examples

  • But the floors were covered with multi-colored African throw rugs, and spears and a bark shield hung upon the wall opposite the mural.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • "Little Mo was a canine angel, asleep and curled up on the floor atop my favorite throw rug."

    Fiction book (1999)

  • I got you a throw rug.

    La La Land (2016)

  • John bought an ugly throw rug.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • The floor was gray concrete, and there was a small Mexican throw rug in the middle.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The red Mexican throw rug was little more than a blanket on the floor.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • Brightly colored oval throw rugs were scattered about the floor, and the furniture was old and solid.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Susann's apartment has all hardwood floors and no carpeting, not even throw rugs.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • The other room, the HQ, was smaller and carpeted with a stained throw rug they'd scavenged from the dump.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Three microphones on stands amplified voice, fiddle, and harmonica; cords were hidden under little throw rugs.

    Fiction book (1998)

Synonyms

rug
vsthrow rug
352 1.0

A thick piece of cloth placed on the floor for warmth or decoration

is smaller, lighter, and designed to be moved for decoration or protection
shag rug
vsthrow rug
1 3.8

A rug with long, thick, soft threads that look fluffy

is small and light and meant to be moved rather than thick and heavy
scatter rug
vsthrow rug
3.7

A small mat you can move that covers part of a floor

is usually used alone for decoration or to protect a specific floor area

How Big

rug
352 1.0
throw rug
  • US
4 3.2
bath mat
4 1.0

Surface Forms

throw rug singular
throw rugs plural

Morphology

throw + rug

The noun-noun compound combines 'throw' (a light blanket) with 'rug' (a floor covering) to denote a small, lightweight rug similar in size/usage to a throw. This is a regular compositional pattern in English, so a B1 learner who knows both constituent meanings can readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun throw rug comes from the idea of a small rug you can quickly 'throw' down anywhere. The words throw and rug paint the picture of a light floor covering you can move to add color or protect the floor, and that's why it means a small, movable rug today.