Rug vs. Rag — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 12, 2023
A rug is a piece of thick woven fabric, often decorative, placed on the floor for comfort or aesthetic purposes. A rag is a piece of old cloth, often torn or frayed, used for cleaning or as a makeshift item for various purposes.
Difference Between Rug and Rag
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Key Differences
A rug is a decorative or functional piece of textile that is generally placed on a floor to provide comfort, warmth, or aesthetic appeal. On the other hand, a rag is usually an old, worn, or frayed piece of cloth, often used for cleaning, wiping, or other utilitarian purposes.
Rugs often come in various designs, patterns, and materials, making them a popular choice for home decor. In contrast, rags are rarely considered decorative; they are often repurposed from older textiles like towels, t-shirts, or other worn fabrics, and are typically not bought for their aesthetic value.
Rugs are often made using specific techniques such as weaving, knotting, or tufting, and can be quite expensive depending on the quality and craftsmanship involved. Rags, however, are usually not crafted with any particular technique and are generally considered of low monetary value.
Rugs usually require careful maintenance, including occasional vacuuming and professional cleaning, to keep them in optimal condition. Rags are more durable when it comes to tough cleaning tasks, often being used in settings like garages, workshops, or kitchens where they can get stained or dirty.
Both rugs and rags have cultural and historical significance. Rugs are often associated with specific cultures and their artistry, like Persian rugs or Navajo rugs. Rags, while less celebrated, have a history of practical use in various settings, from factories to households.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Floor covering
Cleaning
Material
Varied, often high-quality
Usually old or worn cloth
Craftsmanship
Often intricate
Generally simple
Monetary Value
Can be expensive
Generally low value
Maintenance
Requires care
Durable, low-maintenance
Compare with Definitions
Rug
A floor covering made of woven fabric or fibers.
She bought a beautiful rug for the living room.
Rag
A piece of old cloth used for cleaning.
He used a rag to wipe down the counter.
Rug
A decorative textile used for aesthetic purposes.
The rug really tied the room together.
Rag
A low-value item for various makeshift purposes.
He used a rag to tie back his hair.
Rug
A functional piece for providing warmth or comfort.
He stood on the rug to avoid the cold tile floor.
Rag
A frayed or torn textile.
She cut up an old t-shirt into rags.
Rug
A textile often representing specific cultures or traditions.
She owns a handwoven Navajo rug.
Rag
An item often repurposed from worn fabrics.
Old towels often end up as cleaning rags.
Rug
A home item requiring specific maintenance.
Be sure to vacuum the rug regularly.
Rag
A cloth used in utilitarian settings.
Keep a rag in the garage for oil spills.
Rug
A floor covering of thick woven material or animal skin, typically not extending over the entire floor
An oriental rug
Charles and Elaine were sitting on the rug in front of the fire
Rag
A piece of old cloth, especially one torn from a larger piece, used typically for cleaning things
A piece of rag
He wiped his hands on an oily rag
Rug
A floor covering consisting of a piece of heavy fabric, especially one that does not cover the floor's entire surface.
Rag
A newspaper, typically one regarded as being of low quality
The local rag
Rug
An animal skin used as a floor covering.
Rag
A herd of colts
A rag of colts roamed the moorland
Rug
Chiefly British A piece of thick, warm fabric or fur used as a coverlet or lap robe.
Rag
A programme of stunts, parades, and other entertainments organized by students to raise money for charity
Rag week
Rug
(Slang) A toupee.
Rag
A large coarse roofing slate.
Rug
A partial covering for a floor.
Rag
A hard, coarse sedimentary rock that can be broken into thick slabs.
Rug
A (usually thick) piece of fabric used for warmth (especially on a bed); a blanket.
Rag
A ragtime composition or tune.
Rug
A kind of coarse, heavy frieze, formerly used for clothing.
Rag
Variant of raga
Rug
A cloak or mantle made of such a frieze.
Rag
Give a decorative effect to (a painted surface) by applying paint, typically of a different colour, with a rag
The background walls have been stippled above the dado rail and ragged below
Rug
A person wearing a rug.
Rag
Make fun of (someone) in a boisterous manner
He ragged me about not smoking or drinking
Despite the way I sometimes rag her, she is my sister
Rug
A cloth covering for a horse.
Rag
Rebuke severely
I ragged a restaurant last week for mangling Key lime pie
Rug
A dense layer of natural vegetation that precludes the growth of crops.
Rag
Keep possession of (the puck) by skilful stick-handling and avoidance of opponents, so as to waste time
Players ragged the puck in mid-ice to kill off penalties
Rug
(slang) The female pubic hair.
Rag
A scrap of cloth.
Rug
A rough, woolly, or shaggy dog.
Rag
A piece of cloth used for cleaning, washing, or dusting.
Rug
(slang) A wig; a hairpiece.
Rag
Rags Threadbare or tattered clothing.
Rug
(colloquial) A dense growth of chest hair.
Rag
Cloth converted to pulp for making paper.
Rug
(transitive) To cover with a rug.
Rag
A scrap; a fragment.
Rug
(Scotland) To pull roughly or hastily; to plunder; to spoil; to tear.
Rag
(Slang) A newspaper, especially one specializing in sensationalism or gossip.
Rug
Snug; cosy
Rag
The stringy central portion and membranous walls of a citrus fruit.
Rug
A kind of coarse, heavy frieze, formerly used for garments.
They spin the choicest rug in Ireland. A friend of mine . . . repaired to Paris Garden clad in one of these Waterford rugs. The mastiffs, . . . deeming he had been a bear, would fain have baited him.
Rag
A practical joke; a prank.
Rug
A piece of thick, nappy fabric, commonly made of wool, - used for various purposes, as for covering and ornamenting part of a bare floor, for hanging in a doorway as a potière, for protecting a portion of carpet, for a wrap to protect the legs from cold, etc.
Rag
A roofing slate with one rough surface.
Rug
A rough, woolly, or shaggy dog.
Rag
Chiefly British A coarsely textured rock.
Rug
To pull roughly or hastily; to plunder; to spoil; to tear.
Rag
A piece written in ragtime.
Rug
Floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
Rag
To criticize or scold (someone).
Rag
To criticize or complain about (something).
Rag
To tease or taunt (someone).
Rag
Chiefly British To play a joke on.
Rag
(Sports) In ice hockey, to maintain possession of (the puck) by outmaneuvering opposing players, especially so as to kill a penalty.
Rag
To compose or play (a piece) in ragtime.
Rag
(in the plural) Tattered clothes.
Rag
A piece of old cloth, especially one used for cleaning, patching, etc.; a tattered piece of cloth; a shred or tatter.
Rag
A shabby, beggarly fellow; a ragamuffin.
Rag
A ragged edge in metalworking.
Rag
A sail, or any piece of canvas.
Rag
Sanitary napkins, pads, or other materials used to absorb menstrual discharge.
Rag
A newspaper or magazine, especially one whose journalism is considered to be of poor quality.
Fish wrap
Rag
(poker) A poor, low-ranking kicker.
I have ace-four on my hand. In other words, I have ace-rag.
Rag
A curtain of various kinds.
Rag
(dated) A person suffering from exhaustion or lack of energy.
Rag
A coarse kind of rock, somewhat cellular in texture; ragstone.
Rag
(dated) A prank or practical joke.
Rag
A society run by university students for the purpose of charitable fundraising.
Rag
An informal dance party featuring music played by African-American string bands.
Rag
A ragtime song, dance or piece of music.
Rag
(transitive) To decorate (a wall, etc.) by applying paint with a rag.
Rag
(intransitive) To become tattered.
Rag
To break (ore) into lumps for sorting.
Rag
To cut or dress roughly, as a grindstone.
Rag
To scold or tell off; to torment; to banter.
Rag
To drive a car or another vehicle in a hard, fast or unsympathetic manner.
Rag
To tease or torment, especially at a university; to bully, to haze.
Rag
To play or compose (a piece, melody, etc.) in syncopated time.
Rag
To dance to ragtime music.
Rag
To add syncopation (to a tune) and thereby make it appropriate for a ragtime song.
Rag
To scold or rail at; to rate; to tease; to torment; to banter.
Rag
To become tattered.
Rag
To break (ore) into lumps for sorting.
Rag
To cut or dress roughly, as a grindstone.
Rag
To play or compose (a piece, melody, etc.) in syncopated time.
Rag
To dance to ragtime music, esp. in some manner considered indecorous.
Rag
A piece of cloth torn off; a tattered piece of cloth; a shred; a tatter; a fragment.
Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers, tossed,And fluttered into rags.
Not having otherwise any rag of legality to cover the shame of their cruelty.
Rag
Hence, mean or tattered attire; worn-out dress.
And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm.
Rag
A shabby, beggarly fellow; a ragamuffin.
The other zealous rag is the compositor.
Upon the proclamation, they all came in, both tag and rag.
Rag
A coarse kind of rock, somewhat cellular in texture.
Rag
A ragged edge.
Rag
A sail, or any piece of canvas.
Our ship was a clipper with every rag set.
Rag
A small piece of cloth or paper
Rag
A week at British universities during which side-shows and processions of floats are organized to raise money for charities
Rag
Music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano)
Rag
Newspaper with half-size pages
Rag
A boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)
Rag
Treat cruelly;
The children tormented the stuttering teacher
Rag
Cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations;
Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
Rag
Play in ragtime;
Rag that old tune
Rag
Harass with persistent criticism or carping;
The children teased the new teacher
Don't ride me so hard over my failure
His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie
Rag
Censure severely or angrily;
The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup
Rag
Break into lumps before sorting;
Rag ore
Common Curiosities
What is a Rag?
A rag is a piece of old, frayed, or torn cloth typically used for cleaning.
Are rugs always decorative?
While many rugs are decorative, some are purely functional for warmth or comfort.
Can a rag be a rug?
Generally, a rag is not suitable to be a rug due to its small size and utilitarian nature.
How do you maintain a rug?
Rugs often require vacuuming and occasional professional cleaning.
Can rugs be expensive?
Yes, high-quality rugs, especially those with intricate designs, can be expensive.
What is a Rug?
A rug is a textile floor covering, often made of woven fabric or fibers.
Do rags require maintenance?
Rags are generally low-maintenance and can be washed with regular laundry.
What materials are commonly used in rugs?
Rugs can be made from a variety of materials including wool, cotton, and synthetic fibers.
Do rugs have cultural significance?
Yes, some rugs like Persian or Navajo rugs are deeply rooted in specific cultures.
Are rags made from specific materials?
Rags are usually made from old cloth, like worn t-shirts, towels, or other textiles.
Can a rug be repurposed into a rag?
While not common, worn-out rugs can sometimes be cut into smaller pieces for use as rags.
Are rags expensive?
No, rags are generally considered to be of low monetary value.
Where are rugs commonly placed?
Rugs are often placed in living rooms, bedrooms, and other indoor spaces for decor or comfort.
Do rags have cultural significance?
Generally, rags are not culturally significant although they have practical uses in various settings.
Where are rags commonly used?
Rags are commonly used in kitchens, garages, and workshops for cleaning purposes.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
