rube

noun

ˈrüb 

1

: an awkward unsophisticated person : rustic

2

: a naive or inexperienced person

Synonyms of rube

• hick
• bumpkin
• clown
• yokel
• hayseed
• peasant
• provincial

Examples of rube in a Sentence

They treated us as if we were a bunch of rubes.

rural voters were tired of being treated as rubes by state officials, who showed interest in them only at election time

Recent Examples on the Web

All those unsuspecting rubes with no idea what’s about to hit them. — Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026

The rubes in the trad lobby have been snookered—though their final betrayal is yet to come. — Ian Volner, Artforum, 28 May 2025

Harry would be right to be bitter; Sally’s optimism was for rubes. — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025

As for partisan rubes like Senator Van Hollen, Maryland can do better. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Rube, nickname for Reuben

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rube

• boob
• cube
• lube
• tube
• hypercube
• nanotube
• phototube