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Synonyms

welcome mat

American  

noun

  1. a doormat, especially one with the word “welcome” printed on it.

idioms

  1. put out the welcome mat, to extend a hearty welcome.

    The club put out the welcome mat for new members.
welcome mat More Idioms  

  1. A friendly welcome, as in They put out the welcome mat for all new members. This expression alludes to a doormat with the word “Welcome” printed on it. [Mid-1900]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Nice shoes!” read the welcome mat inside the CitizenM Paris Gare de Lyon hotel—a fitting quip since I already knew I would be walking a lot to avoid expensive ride-shares and taxis.

From The Wall Street Journal

They also are indignant about the government unfurling a welcome mat for Fuyao.

From The Wall Street Journal

Owen and George pushed the door open and stepped over the polar bear welcome mat.

From Literature

The welcome mat is out for high school coaches.

From Los Angeles Times

Uganda is among a raft of poorer countries pulling back the welcome mat, which officials here blame on deep cuts to American aid.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.