boondocks

American  

[boon-doks] / ˈbunˌdɒks /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. a remote rural area.

   The company moved to a small town out in the boondocks.

   Synonyms:

   boonies, backwoods, back country

2. an uninhabited area with thick natural vegetation, such as a backwoods or marsh.

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verb (used without object)

1. boondock to camp, especially in a vehicle, in places other than recognized campgrounds, such as in a mall parking lot, a highway rest area, or a field.

   We called the inn to ask if we could boondock with our RV in their parking lot.

boondocks British  

/ ˈbuːnˌdɒks /

plural noun

1. wild, desolate, or uninhabitable country

2. a remote rural or provincial area

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Etymology

Origin of boondocks

An Americanism first recorded in 1940–45; from Tagalog bundok “mountain” + -s ³ (in locative derivations such as the sticks, the dumps, etc.)

Explanation

Living out in the boondocks means being far from city life, surrounded by nature in a remote area where the conveniences of urban living are distant. The term boondocks comes from the Tagalog word bundok, meaning "mountain." This word entered the English language when American soldiers were stationed in the Philippines and began using it to describe remote, mountainous areas. Over time, boondocks evolved to refer to any rural or isolated location far from urban centers. While many people enjoy the peace and natural beauty of the boondocks, others might miss the conveniences and vibrancy found in busier places.

Example Sentences

Maybe this special group moves "off the grid" into the boondocks where they could text and drive without fear of oversight.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2023

He and his wife, Amanda Verbeck, having not had a getaway in a while, went off into the boondocks over the weekend.

From Washington Post • Sep. 13, 2022

Suddenly not among the moneyed class, she hustled herself through the redbrick boondocks of the University of Vermont.

From The Verge • May 12, 2021

They shot the film in Kentucky, deep in the boondocks at the height of summer.

From The Guardian • Jul. 17, 2020

Michael Dukakis never heard that sound, and even if he had he probably would have dismissed it as some silly tribal rite practiced in the American boondocks by people who made no difference.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger