rube

¹

[ roob ]

noun

, Informal.

1. an unsophisticated person from a rural area; hick.

Rube

²

[ roob ]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Reuben.

rube

/ ruːb /

noun

1. slang.
   an unsophisticated countryman

Word History and Origins

Origin of rube¹

1895–1900; generic use of Rube; compare earlier use of Reuben in same sense

Word History and Origins

Origin of rube¹

C20: probably from the name Reuben

Example Sentences

They are the builders, they say, charting the way forward for the next generation of rubes who will follow them, years late, into the future.

From Vox

Let’s toy with the thrill of violence, but do it with a smirk that dares you to be enough of a rube to take it seriously.

From Time

Vegas attracts rubes looking to make a quick buck, as well as entrepreneurs seeking to make a change.

From The Daily Beast

Salt was my friend, too, because to undersalt something is to be a rube.

From Washington Post

A lazy off-season afternoon in Palmer's house is like being trapped in a Rube Goldberg cartoon.

From The Daily Beast

Rube Goldberg legislation is most dangerous when you do not have buy-in from the public and the opposition party.

From The Daily Beast

Such Rube Goldberg–like coincidences will not prevail against the Syria-Iran axis.

From The Daily Beast

Foster, he thought, must certainly be scared of his wife, if he daren't show himself in this little rube town.

From Project Gutenberg

And everybody knew about the way Rube used to disappear every now and then during the middle of a season and go fishing.

From Project Gutenberg

Ollie Shreck, Rube's regular catcher, wouldn't sign a contract one season.

From Project Gutenberg

No one but Rube would have attempted such a thing; but he never stopped to think about odds or chances when his dander was up.

From Project Gutenberg

They had a couple of hours to rest their horses, and then Rube and I led them straight to the Mexican camp.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bumpkin
• hick