boondocks

[ boon-doks ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. a remote rural area:

   The company moved to a small town out in the boondocks.

   Synonyms: boonies, backwoods, back country

2. an uninhabited area with thick natural vegetation, such as a backwoods or marsh.

verb (used without object)

1. boon·dock [boon, -dok], to camp, especially in a vehicle, in places other than recognized campgrounds, such as in a mall parking lot, a highway rest area, or a field:

   We called the inn to ask if we could boondock with our RV in their parking lot.

boondocks

/ ˈbuːnˌdɒks /

plural noun

1. wild, desolate, or uninhabitable country
2. a remote rural or provincial area

Word History and Origins

Origin of boondocks¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1940–45; from Tagalog bundok “mountain” + -s ³ (in locative derivations such as the sticks, the dumps, etc.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of boondocks¹

C20: from Tagalog bundok mountain

Example Sentences

On the other hand, Trump claims Biden is a crime lord who never sleeps — a supervillain looting and pillaging at will, while only owning a modest house in the boondocks of Delaware.

From Salon

Maybe this special group moves "off the grid" into the boondocks where they could text and drive without fear of oversight.

From Salon

Living off the grid in “the boondocks,” she and her husband are used to having to stock up on food, water and gas for their generator in case of emergencies.

From Los Angeles Times

He and his wife, Amanda Verbeck, having not had a getaway in a while, went off into the boondocks over the weekend.

From Washington Post

On freezing days I have to take bus 209, which is the bus that goes to the apartments, the trailer park outside of town, and all the way out in the boondocks.

From Literature