rustic

1 of 2

adjective

rus·​tic ˈrə-stik How to pronounce rustic (audio)
variants or less commonly rustical
1
: of, relating to, or suitable for the country : rural
rustic rolling farmland
2
a
: made of the rough limbs of trees
rustic furniture
b
: finished by rusticating
a rustic joint in masonry
3
a
: characteristic of or resembling country people
b
: lacking in social graces or polish
4
: appropriate to the country (as in plainness or sturdiness)
heavy rustic boots
rustically adverb
rusticity noun

rustic

2 of 2

noun

1
: an inhabitant of a rural area
2
a
: an awkward coarse person
b
: an unsophisticated rural person

Examples of rustic in a Sentence

Adjective The inn has a rustic atmosphere. rustic yokels whose first impulse was to smirk gawkily at anyone not of their own kind Noun a rustic who was awed by the prices that city dwellers had to pay
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Campsites range from rustic to modern full-hookup and even lodges and cabins. Detroit Free Press, 12 Mar. 2024 Coastal Charm in Abruzzo Photo: Getty Images Just two hours east of Rome lies Abruzzo— a rustic region with rich culinary traditions and natural splendor. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024 The disk-like records, also known as LPs, have recently become hot commodities as more people seek them out for their rustic charm and arguably better sound quality. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024 Use these rustic carton planters as placeholders at the table or as favors for guests, or give them as thoughtful gifts to family members and neighbors. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024 In rustic Topanga Canyon, not far from Malibu and the Pacific Ocean, Ms. Jacobs, who taught in public schools for years, started a nontraditional school called the Ditch School out of her home. Tim Arango, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The rustic cabins of LeConte Lodge are in a stunning setting atop Mount LeConte. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 This mixture of rustic wood keeps the design from feeling too precious while weaving in additional organic textures into the entertaining spaces. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 There is also the 364-year-old Chesa Veglia across the street, built into a former farmhouse with two bars and three restaurants for lovers of authentic Italian pizza, elegant French cuisine, and rustic Swiss specialties. Jim Dobson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
The Dresden picture features three satyrs—grinning rustics, horned and horny, who hope to make out with Diana’s accompanying huntswomen. Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 26 Dec. 2023 Ready in just over an hour thanks to the Instant Pot, this rustic, chicken cacciatore dish is a weeknight winner. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2023 Adding Warmth to Your Kitchen Style Copper pairs well with any kitchen style, from cozy vintage to modern rustic. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Oct. 2023 Grant’s natural aesthetic has a beautiful balance of rustic and refinement. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 18 Oct. 2023 Style From rustic to contemporary, fireplace tool sets come in a variety of styles to suit all types of aesthetics. Nor'adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Oct. 2023 This front porch setting leans rustic, but accents of pewter, seasonal china, and even tortoiseshell flatware elevate the table. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 29 Sep. 2023 Umbra Cappa Curtain Rod Another key to keep modern rustic from leaning too far into rustic-only territory is brass hardware. Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 30 July 2023 Originally, Shakespeare created rustics: simple, less intelligent clowns like Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing or Grumio in The Taming of the Shrew. Manuel Mendoza, Dallas News, 27 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rustic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English rustik, from Latin rusticus, from rus open land — more at room

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rustic was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rustic

Cite this Entry

“Rustic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rustic. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rustic

1 of 2 adjective
rus·​tic ˈrəs-tik How to pronounce rustic (audio)
: of, relating to, or suitable for the country or country people : rural
rustically adverb
rusticity noun

rustic

2 of 2 noun
: a person living or raised in the country

More from Merriam-Webster on rustic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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