rural

[roor-uhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the country, country life, or country people; rustic.

   agricultural fairs and festivals throughout the rural towns of Georgia.

   Synonyms: rough, unsophisticated
   Antonyms: urban

2. living in the country.

   the rural population.

3. of or relating to agriculture.

   rural economy.

noun

1. a person who lives in a rural area.

rural

/ ˈrʊərəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the country or country life

2. living in or accustomed to the country

3. of, relating to, or associated with farming

Other Word Forms

• ruralism noun
• ruralist noun
• ruralite noun
• rurally adverb
• ruralness noun
• nonrural adjective
• nonrurally adverb
• quasi-rural adjective
• quasi-rurally adverb
• semirural adjective
• semirurally adverb
• semiruralism noun
• unrural adjective
• unrurally adverb
• rurality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rural¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin rūrālis, equivalent to rūr- (stem of rūs ) “the country, rural land” (akin to room ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of rural¹

C15: via Old French from Latin rūrālis , from rūs the country

Synonym Study

Rural and rustic are terms that refer to the country. Rural is the official term: rural education. It may be used subjectively, and usually in a favorable sense: the charm of rural life. Rustic, however, may have either favorable or unfavorable connotations. In a derogatory sense, it means provincial, boorish, or crude; in a favorable sense, it may suggest ruggedness or a homelike rural charm: rustic simplicity.

Example Sentences

“We’re not the only rural community. All over the state, people are having to deal with this.”

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Wind and solar projects have brought jobs, tax revenue and steady lease payments to rural counties that have been losing both population and farm income for decades.

Read more on Salon

Alvarez, who grew up on a farm in rural Merced County and attended Livingston High School, said she struggled to navigate her own journey as a first-generation college student without any guidance at school.

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"But by supporting rural communities, governments, and conservation partners on the ground, we can still turn the tide."

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Satellite operators could also help wireless providers bring service to rural or remote areas that have been historically unprofitable for service expansions.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• agrarian 
• agricultural www.thesaurus.com
• backwoods 
• bucolic 
• idyllic 
• pastoral 
• provincial 
• rustic