bucolic

[byoo-kol-ik]

adjective

1. of or relating to shepherds; pastoral.

2. of, relating to, or suggesting an idyllic rural life.

   Synonyms: georgic

noun

1. a pastoral poem.

   Synonyms: georgic

2. Archaic.,  a farmer; shepherd; rustic.

bucolic

/ bjuːˈkɒlɪk /

adjective

1. of or characteristic of the countryside or country life; rustic

2. of or relating to shepherds; pastoral

noun

1. (sometimes plural) a pastoral poem, often in the form of a dialogue

2. a rustic; farmer or shepherd

Other Word Forms

• bucolically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of bucolic¹

1525–35; < Latin būcolicus < Greek boukolikós rustic, equivalent to boukól ( os ) herdsman ( bou-, stem of boûs ox + -kolos keeper + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of bucolic¹

C16: from Latin būcolicus , from Greek boukolikos , from boukolos cowherd, from bous ox

Example Sentences

Against bucolic and urban images of industry and humanity, Reagan begins in his unmistakable voice, “When someone says ‘Let’s impose tariffs on foreign imports,’ it looks like they’re doing the patriotic thing.”

Read more on Salon

Within a few days, I escalated to blowing leaves out from under the shrubs, and remembered the bucolic autumns of my Midwestern childhood and jumping into leaf piles raked patiently by my grandfather.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Disorientating on first listen, the aural chaos serves a purpose, as singer Ellie Rowsell confronts misogyny and self-doubt in the verses before rising above the noise for a bucolic chorus.

Read more on BBC

The fresh look of the production, incorporating Scott Pask’s bucolic cartoon set, prevents the show from coming across as dated.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He finally had enough bedrooms for his young family to thrive in a bucolic corner of the city with deep Black roots.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agrarian 
• pastoral