Definition

1. Noun:

   • A floor covering: A thick, heavy fabric, often with a soft surface (nap or pile), used to cover floors for warmth, comfort, or decoration.
   • A thick layer covering a surface: Something that covers an area completely and densely, resembling a fabric carpet (e.g., a layer of grass, flowers, or snow).

2. Verb:

   • To cover a floor with a carpet: To lay or fit a carpet onto a floor.
   • To cover completely: To spread over an area in a thick, continuous layer, as if covering it with a carpet.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • We bought a new wool carpet for the living room.
  • In spring, the forest floor becomes a carpet of bluebells.

• Verb:

  • They decided to carpet the entire upstairs.
  • Autumn leaves carpeted the path through the park.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on the carpet": To be summoned for a reprimand or serious discussion, typically by someone in authority.

  • The manager called him into the office; he knew he was on the carpet for the mistake.

• "To sweep something under the carpet": To hide or ignore a problem or difficulty in the hope that it will be forgotten.

  • The company tried to sweep the scandal under the carpet, but the truth eventually came out.

Variants and Related Words

• Carpeting (n): Material used for carpets; the act of laying carpets.

  • They selected a durable carpeting for the hallway.

• Carpeted (adj): Describing a floor or area covered with a carpet.

  • The carpeted stairs were quiet to walk on.

• Carpet-bomb (v): A military term meaning to bomb an area intensively and thoroughly. (Note: This is a compound verb listed here as a related term).

  • The area was carpet-bombed during the conflict.

Synonyms

• Noun (for floor covering): Rug, mat.
• Noun (for a thick layer): Blanket, cover, sheet.
• Verb (to cover a floor): Rug.
• Verb (to cover an area): Blanket, cover, spread over.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Carpet out (Informal, rare): To reprimand someone severely.
  • He was carpeted out by his boss for being late again.

Related Idioms

• The red carpet treatment: Special treatment or a grand welcome given to an important guest.

  • The visiting dignitary received the red carpet treatment at the airport.

• To have someone/something at your feet (like a carpet): To have complete control or admiration from someone. (This idiom uses the concept metaphorically).

  • With her brilliant performance, she had the entire audience at her feet.

Noun

1. a natural object that resembles or suggests a carpet
   • a carpet of flowers
   • the larvae of some moths spin a web that resembles a carpet
2. floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)

Verb

1. cover with a carpet
   • carpet the floors of the house
2. cover completely, as if with a carpet
   • flowers carpeted the meadows
3. form a carpet-like cover (over)