redneck

American  

[red-nek] / ˈrɛdˌnɛk /

Or red-neck

noun

1. an uneducated white farm laborer, especially from the South.

2. a bigot or reactionary, especially from the rural working class.

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adjective

1. Also red-necked narrow, prejudiced, or reactionary.

   a redneck attitude.

   Synonyms:

   intolerant, narrow-minded, biased

   Antonyms:

   impartial, unbiased, tolerant, broad-minded, open-minded, fair-minded

redneck British  

/ ˈrɛdˌnɛk /

noun

1. (in the southwestern US) a poor uneducated White farm worker

2. a person or institution that is extremely reactionary

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adjective

1. reactionary and bigoted

   redneck laws

redneck Cultural  

1. A slang term, usually for a rural white southerner who is politically conservative, racist, and a religious fundamentalist (see fundamentalism). This term is generally considered offensive. It originated in reference to agricultural workers, alluding to how the back of a person's neck will be burned by the sun if he works long hours in the fields.

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Sensitive Note

All the senses of this term are used with disparaging intent, implying negative stereotypical traits such as ignorance and narrow-mindedness.

Etymology

Origin of redneck

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; red ¹ + neck

Compare meaning

How does redneck compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hillbilly vs. redneck

Example Sentences

At the Redneck Fishing Tournament in Bath, Ill., contestants use nets to catch as many jumping carp as they can.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Your last album ends with “The Redneck Song.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2024

From the time they were first served there in the late 70’s, Bushwackers quickly made their way all along the northern Gulf of Mexico shores, aka The Redneck Riviera and beyond.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2024

Grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness posted: "RIP Tom", while interior designer Bobby said he was "having a Redneck Margarita" in Tom's honour.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2023

The authorities said the explosion happened around 6:30 a.m. outside 166 Second Avenue North, in a stretch of downtown with a Hard Rock Cafe, Hooters, Redneck Riviera Barbecue and Honky Tonk Bus Tours.

From New York Times • Dec. 25, 2020

Related Words

• hick
• hillbilly