You can use rustic to describe things or people that you approve of because they are simple or unsophisticated in a way that is typical of the countryside.
[approval]
...the rustic charm of a country lifestyle.
...a half dozen or so wonderfully rustic old log cabins.
Synonyms: rural, country, pastoral, bucolic More Synonyms of rustic
2. countable noun
You can refer to someone who comes from the countryside as a rustic if you find their behaviour amusing or very different from that of people who live in towns and cities.
...lots of opera-loving Italian rustics in from the country.
Synonyms: yokel, peasant, hick [informal, mainly US, Canadian], bumpkin More Synonyms of rustic
More Synonyms of rustic
rustic in British English
(ˈrʌstɪk) or rustical (ˈrʌstɪkəl)
adjective
1.
of, characteristic of, or living in the country; rural
2.
having qualities ascribed to country life or people; simple; unsophisticated
rustic pleasures
3.
crude, awkward, or uncouth
4.
made of untrimmed branches
a rustic seat
5.
denoting or characteristic of a style of furniture popular in England in the 18th and 19th centuries, in which the legs and feet of chairs, tables, etc, were made to resemble roots, trunks, and branches of trees
6.
(of masonry) having a rusticated finish
noun
7.
a person who comes from or lives in the country
8.
an unsophisticated, simple, or clownish person from the country
9. Also called: rusticwork
brick or stone having a rough finish
Derived forms
rustically (ˈrustically) or rusticly (ˈrusticly)
adverb
rusticity (rʌˈstɪsɪtɪ)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Old French rustique, from Latin rūsticus, from rūs the country
rustic in American English
(ˈrʌstɪk)
adjective
1.
of or living in the country, as distinguished from cities or towns; rural
2.
lacking refinement, elegance, polish, or sophistication
; specif.,
a.
simple, plain, or artless
b.
rough, awkward, uncouth, or boorish
3.
made of rough, bark-covered branches or roots
rustic furniture
4. Masonry
having a rough surface or irregular, deeply sunk, deliberately conspicuous joints; rusticated
noun
5.
a country person, esp. one regarded as unsophisticated, simple, awkward, uncouth,etc.
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈrural
Derived forms
rustically (ˈrustically)
adverb
rusticity (rusˈticity) (ˈrʌsˈtɪsəti)
noun
Word origin
LME rustyk < MFr rustique < L rusticus < rus, the country: see rural
Examples of 'rustic' in a sentence
rustic
Think vaulted ceilings, antique furniture and lashings of rustic charm.
The Sun (2016)
The interior has heaps of rustic charm, with beamed ceilings, stone fireplaces and wood floors.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their fantastic earthy flavour works well in simple and rustic dishes such as pasta or salads.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The modern take on rustic style is all about contemporary craftsmanship and sleek modern lines.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The house today is surrounded by rustic cabins for visitors plus fishing ponds and nature trails.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Not for them your rustic kitchens and winsome acoustic soundtracks.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The answer turned out to be making rustic furniture and inventing more efficient garden tools.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The furnishings are simple and rustic.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There are also stables, a riding school and rustic farmhouse accommodation.
The Sun (2010)
This rustic stone barn in Middleham is in need of complete renovation.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We had a rustic log cabin, which seemed the natural choice.
The Sun (2012)
But don't be misled by its appearance of rustic simplicity.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The simple, rustic feel of these hotels was made ten times better by the service.
The Sun (2015)
Its auction next Wednesday and inevitable refurbishment will remove the last traces of a simple rustic life.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The modern interiors give it a sleek feel, and areas of exposed brickwork add some rustic charm.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You stay in rustic bungalows or log cabins, all hidden in tropical gardens that are dotted with hammocks.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It has all been restored in a chic, rustic style and the pool is set in an orchard.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Join them with a stay at this rustic farmhouse with shared accommodation, the only place to stay on the island.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We sat around the fireplace in a rustic mountain cabin, the scene reminiscent of the pioneers of a century ago.
Christianity Today (2000)
She is full of rustic charm but modernised to include creature comforts such as a sink, fridge and gas hob.
The Sun (2016)
From the outside, they're rustic farmhouses.
The Sun (2015)
The style is rustic but there's underfloor heating throughout and a cool, modern bathroom.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
A source said: 'The lodge is very basic and rustic with wooden cabins.
The Sun (2011)
In other languages
rustic
British English: rustic ADJECTIVE
You can use rustic to describe things or people that you approve of because they are simple or unsophisticated in a way that is typical of the countryside.
...the rustic charm of a country lifestyle.
American English: rustic
Brazilian Portuguese: rústico
Chinese: 质朴的
European Spanish: rústico
French: rustique
German: rustikal
Italian: rustico
Japanese: 素朴な
Korean: 소박한
European Portuguese: rústico
Latin American Spanish: rústico
1 (adjective)
Definition
a person from the country
the rustic charms of a country lifestyle
Synonyms
rural
the old rural way of life
country
I want to live a simple country life.
pastoral
a tranquil pastoral scene
bucolic
the bucolic surroundings of Chantilly
sylvan
Arcadian
countrified
The house was very handsome, with a lovely countrified garden.
upcountry
agrestic
Opposites
urban
,
cosmopolitan
2 (adjective)
wonderfully rustic old log cabins
Synonyms
simple
simple pictures and diagrams
homely
Scottish baking is homely, comforting and truly good.
basic
the extremely basic hotel room
plain
We are just plain people.
homespun
The book is simple, homespun philosophy.
unsophisticated
music of a crude kind which unsophisticated audiences enjoyed
unrefined
artless
his artless air and charming smile
unpolished
an uncouth and unpolished yokel
Opposites
grand
,
polished
,
sophisticated
,
elegant
,
refined
3 (adjective)
Definition
crude, awkward, or uncouth
Synonyms
uncouth
that oafish, uncouth person
rough
He was rough and common.
awkward
She made an awkward gesture with her hands.
crude
a crude sense of humour
hick (informal, mainly US, Canadian)
coarse
They don't know how to behave, and are coarse and insulting.
unaffected
churlish
It seemed churlish to refuse an offer meant so kindly.
boorish
the boorish behaviour of some players
loutish
I was appalled by the loutish behaviour.
graceless
She couldn't stand his blunt, graceless manner.
clownish
uncultured
maladroit
lumpish
clodhopping (informal)
unmannerly
cloddish
(noun)
rustics in from the country
Synonyms
yokel
a local yokel
peasant
land given to peasants for food production
hick (informal, mainly US, Canadian)
He is an obnoxious hick.
bumpkin
They were considered unsophisticated bumpkins.
Hodge
swain (archaic)
hillbilly
country boy
clod
boor
He was a braggart, a cynic and a boor.
country cousin
hayseed (US, Canadian, informal)
clodhopper (informal)
son of the soil
clown
countryman or countrywoman
Opposites
sophisticate
,
cosmopolitan
,
courtier
,
townie
,
city slicker
,
townsperson
Additional synonyms
in the sense of artless
Definition
natural or unpretentious
his artless air and charming smile
Synonyms
natural,
simple,
fair,
frank,
plain,
pure,
open,
round,
true,
direct,
genuine,
humble,
straightforward,
sincere,
honest,
candid,
unaffected,
upfront (informal),
unpretentious,
unadorned,
dinkum (Australian, New Zealand, informal),
guileless,
uncontrived,
undesigning
in the sense of awkward
Definition
clumsy or ungainly
She made an awkward gesture with her hands.
Synonyms
clumsy,
stiff,
rude,
blundering,
coarse,
bungling,
lumbering,
inept,
unskilled,
bumbling,
unwieldy,
ponderous,
ungainly,
gauche,
gawky,
uncouth,
unrefined,
artless,
inelegant,
uncoordinated,
graceless,
cack-handed (informal),
unpolished,
clownish,
oafish,
inexpert,
maladroit,
all thumbs,
ungraceful,
skill-less,
unskilful,
butterfingered (informal),
unhandy,
ham-fisted or ham-handed (informal),
unco (Australian, slang)
in the sense of basic
Definition
elementary or simple
the extremely basic hotel room
Synonyms
plain,
simple,
classic,
ordinary,
severe,
crude,
straightforward,
Spartan,
unpretentious,
uncluttered,
unadorned,
unfussy,
bog-standard (informal),
unembellished,
without frills,
bare-bones,
lo-fi
Nearby words of
rustic
rushed
Russian
rust
rustic
rustle
rustle something up
rusty
Synonyms of 'rustic'
rustic
Explore 'rustic' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of boor
Definition
an ill-mannered, clumsy, or insensitive person
He was a braggart, a cynic and a boor.
Synonyms
lout,
peasant (informal),
hick (informal, US, Canadian),
barbarian,
brute,
philistine,
redneck (US, slang),
oaf,
bumpkin,
vulgarian,
hayseed (US, Canadian, informal),
cougan (Australian, slang),
scozza (Australian, slang),
bogan (Australian, slang),
clodhopper (informal),
churl,
clodpole
in the sense of boorish
the boorish behaviour of some players
Synonyms
loutish,
gross,
crude,
rude,
hick (informal, US, Canadian),
coarse,
vulgar,
rustic,
barbaric,
churlish,
uneducated,
bearish,
uncouth,
unrefined,
uncivilized,
clownish,
oafish,
lubberly
in the sense of bucolic
Definition
of or relating to shepherds
the bucolic surroundings of Chantilly
Synonyms
rustic,
country,
rural,
agricultural,
pastoral,
agrarian,
agrestic
in the sense of bumpkin
Definition
an awkward simple rustic person
They were considered unsophisticated bumpkins.
Synonyms
yokel,
peasant (informal),
hick (informal, US, Canadian),
rustic,
lout,
hillbilly,
oaf,
country bumpkin,
clown,
boor,
hayseed (US, Canadian, informal),
clodhopper,
lubber
in the sense of churlish
Definition
surly and rude
It seemed churlish to refuse an offer meant so kindly.
Synonyms
rude,
harsh,
crabbed,
vulgar,
sullen,
surly,
morose,
brusque,
ill-tempered,
boorish,
uncouth,
impolite,
loutish,
oafish,
uncivil,
unmannerly
in the sense of clodhopper
Definition
a clumsy person
Synonyms
clown,
booby,
lout,
loon (informal),
oaf,
bumpkin,
yokel,
boor,
galoot (slang, US)
in the sense of coarse
Definition
unrefined or indecent
They don't know how to behave, and are coarse and insulting.
Synonyms
loutish,
rough,
brutish,
boorish,
uncivil
in the sense of countrified
Definition
having an appearance or manner associated with the countryside rather than a town
The house was very handsome, with a lovely countrified garden.
Synonyms
rural,
pastoral,
picturesque,
rustic,
idyllic,
bucolic,
Arcadian,
agrestic
in the sense of country
I want to live a simple country life.
Synonyms
rural,
pastoral,
rustic,
agrarian,
bucolic,
Arcadian,
georgic (literary),
agrestic
in the sense of crude
Definition
tasteless or vulgar
a crude sense of humour
Synonyms
vulgar,
dirty,
rude,
obscene,
coarse,
indecent,
crass,
tasteless,
lewd,
X-rated (informal),
boorish,
smutty,
uncouth,
gross
Additional synonyms
in the sense of graceless
Definition
lacking manners
She couldn't stand his blunt, graceless manner.
Synonyms
ill-mannered,
crude,
rude,
coarse,
vulgar,
rough,
improper,
shameless,
unsophisticated,
gauche,
barbarous,
boorish,
gawky,
uncouth,
loutish,
indecorous,
unmannerly
in the sense of hick
Definition
an unsophisticated country person
He is an obnoxious hick.
Synonyms
yokel,
peasant (informal),
rustic,
redneck,
bumpkin,
country bumpkin,
hayseed (US, Canadian, informal)
in the sense of homely
Definition
simple, ordinary, and comfortable
Scottish baking is homely, comforting and truly good.
Synonyms
plain,
simple,
natural,
ordinary,
modest,
everyday,
down-to-earth,
unaffected,
unassuming,
unpretentious,
unfussy
in the sense of homespun
Definition
(of philosophies or opinions) plain and unsophisticated
The book is simple, homespun philosophy.
Synonyms
unsophisticated,
homely,
plain,
rough,
rude,
coarse,
home-made,
rustic,
artless,
inelegant,
unpolished
in the sense of loutish
I was appalled by the loutish behaviour.
Synonyms
oafish,
rough,
gross,
coarse,
bungling,
churlish,
stolid,
boorish,
gawky,
uncouth,
lumpen (informal),
ill-bred,
lumpish,
swinish,
clodhopping (informal),
doltish,
unmannerly,
ill-mannered,
lubberly
in the sense of pastoral
Definition
of or depicting country life or scenery
a tranquil pastoral scene
Synonyms
rustic,
country,
simple,
rural,
idyllic,
bucolic,
Arcadian,
georgic (literary),
agrestic
in the sense of peasant
Definition
a member of a low social class employed in agricultural labour
land given to peasants for food production
Synonyms
rustic,
countryman,
hind (obsolete),
swain (archaic),
son of the soil,
churl (archaic)
in the sense of plain
Definition
lowly, esp. in social rank or education
We are just plain people.
Synonyms
ordinary,
homely,
common,
simple,
modest,
everyday,
commonplace,
lowly,
unaffected,
unpretentious,
frugal,
workaday
in the sense of rough
Definition
not using enough care or gentleness
He was rough and common.
Synonyms
ungracious,
blunt,
rude,
coarse,
bluff,
curt,
churlish,
bearish,
brusque,
uncouth,
unrefined,
inconsiderate,
impolite,
loutish,
untutored,
discourteous,
unpolished,
indelicate,
uncivil,
uncultured,
unceremonious,
ill-bred,
unmannerly,
ill-mannered
in the sense of unpolished
Definition
not elegant or refined
an uncouth and unpolished yokel
Synonyms
unrefined,
unsophisticated,
uncouth,
vulgar,
uncultivated,
uncivilized,
uncultured
Additional synonyms
in the sense of unsophisticated
Definition
lacking refinement or complexity
music of a crude kind which unsophisticated audiences enjoyed