rural

[ roor-uhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the country, country life, or country people; rustic:

   agricultural fairs and festivals throughout the rural towns of Georgia.

   Synonyms: rough, unsophisticated

   Antonyms: urban

2. living in the country:

   the rural population.

3. of or relating to agriculture:

   rural economy.

noun

1. a person who lives in a rural area.

rural

/ ˈrʊərəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the country or country life
2. living in or accustomed to the country
3. of, relating to, or associated with farming

Derived Forms

• ˈruralism, noun
• ˈrurally, adverb
• ˈruralist, noun
• ruˈrality, noun

Other Words From

• ru·ral·ism noun
• ru·ral·ist ru·ral·ite noun
• ru·ral·ly adverb
• ru·ral·ness noun
• non·ru·ral adjective
• non·ru·ral·ly adverb
• qua·si-ru·ral adjective
• qua·si-ru·ral·ly adverb
• sem·i·ru·ral adjective
• sem·i·ru·ral·ly adverb
• sem·i·ru·ral·ism noun
• un·ru·ral adjective
• un·ru·ral·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rural¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin rūrālis, equivalent to rūr- (stem of rūs ) “the country, rural land” (akin to room ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of rural¹

C15: via Old French from Latin rūrālis , from rūs the country

Synonym Study

Rural and rustic are terms that refer to the country. Rural is the official term: rural education. It may be used subjectively, and usually in a favorable sense: the charm of rural life. Rustic, however, may have either favorable or unfavorable connotations. In a derogatory sense, it means provincial, boorish, or crude; in a favorable sense, it may suggest ruggedness or a homelike rural charm: rustic simplicity.

Example Sentences

Hence the packing up and moving to rural England.

From Los Angeles Times

This refrain underscores the growing partisan divide over the legislation’s priorities, with Republicans increasingly pushing for a focus on agriculture and rural development, while Democrats emphasize addressing food insecurity and expanding nutrition assistance programs.

From Salon

It calls for reducing Medicaid payments to hospitals, which keep some institutions, especially rural hospitals, fiscally afloat.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Hadden added: “If my case shows anything, when it comes to rural roads, you have to be so alert when you’re on them, you have to prepare for what’s around every corner.”

From BBC

Back in the mid 2000s, just after the ban, Mr John was leader of the Carmarthenshire Hunt in rural west Wales.

From BBC

Related Words

• agrarian
• agricultural
• back-country
• backwoods
• bucolic
• idyllic
• pastoral
• provincial
• rustic