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

As though his jury of peers — whom he likely considered hapless rubes — would surely agree that putting a “personal friend” of Oprah’s in prison was unthinkable.

From Salon

He is “arrogant, free spending” and such a rube that he has an “$8 haircut.”

From New York Times

The first set of rubes were those rich GOP donors.

From Salon

The play’s snotty actors, meanwhile, clearly consider their foe a proletarian rube and airily patronize him.

From New York Times

And once in office, McConnell turned his back on the moderates to embrace Ronald Reagan and the conservative movement of evangelicals, rednecks, and rubes that was Reagan’s governing coalition.

From Salon

Related Words

• bumpkin
• hick