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

“She calls herself a redneck environmentalist,” Kreider said during a visit at Gilbert’s home.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

Michael Trotter Jr. told me that “when you have artists standing onstage yelling about redneck culture, you know they’re not talking to you.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2024

“He’s not a domestic terrorist, but he is everyone’s crazy redneck uncle from out of town,” Mr. McBride said during opening statements last week, UPI reported.

From New York Times • Jan. 23, 2023

A Tampa Ron De Santis, 54 - his family spells his name with a space between “De” and “Santis” - calls himself an Italian redneck from Winter Haven.

From Washington Times • Dec. 24, 2022

Our Father forgot, for fishing in the style of modern redneck Georgia you need your ice.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• hick
• hillbilly