Carpet

/ˈkɑːr.pɪt/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A floor covering made from thick woven fabric.
The living room was beautifully decorated with a red carpet.
A layer of something covering a surface.
The forest floor was covered with a carpet of leaves.
verb
To cover (a floor) with a carpet.
They decided to carpet the entire house with a soft beige material.

Etymology

Middle English 'carpet', from Old French 'carpette', diminutive of 'carpe', from Latin 'carpere' meaning 'to pluck'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

red carpet
A special treatment or a formal welcome.
carpet bombing
An intensive bombing strategy that targets a wide area.
to carpet someone
To reprimand someone harshly.

Related Words

rug
A smaller piece of fabric similar to a carpet.
flooring
Material used to cover a floor.
underlay
A layer placed under a carpet for cushioning.

Slang Meanings

To be on the carpet
He was on the carpet after missing the deadline.
Carpet muncher
A slang term referring to a lesbian.