hick

American  

[hik] / hɪk /

noun

1. an unsophisticated, boorish, and provincial person; rube.

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adjective

1. pertaining to or characteristic of hicks.

   hick ideas.

2. located in a rural or culturally unsophisticated area.

   a hick town.

hick British  

/ hɪk /

noun

1. informal

   1. a country person; bumpkin

   2. ( as modifier )

      hick ideas

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Etymology

Origin of hick

1555–65; after Hick, familiar form of Richard

Explanation

A hick is an unsophisticated, rural person. Your accent and fondness for wearing overalls might make some people think you're a hick. The word hick is both informal and derogatory — in other words, if you call your cousin who raises dairy goats and chickens a hick, she'll probably be offended. Hick is an adjective too: "I've got to get out of this hick town!" Hick was originally a nickname — like "Rick" — for "Richard," in the 14th century. Along the way, it meant both "hosteler" and "awkward provincial person."

Example Sentences

Sarah Hick, 53, said she was startled when she walked out of her office on Wednesday to commute home on her bike.

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2023

Hick will help the company "step beyond fossil fuels", said Forrest.

From Reuters • Nov. 29, 2022

Graeme Hick is the only other player who has made a quadruple century in the Championship, when he made an unbeaten 405 for Worcestershire against Somerset in 1988.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2022

“We will continue to look at the type of capabilities that the Ukrainians are asking for in terms of how to give them more range and distance,” Ms. Hick told reporters Tuesday.

From Washington Times • Apr. 12, 2022

But it is noticeable that they are quite apart from the other group, much more so than was the case in Hick Scorner.

From The Growth of English Drama by Wynne, Arnold