Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

ruralize

verb
ru·​ral·​ize | \ˈru̇rəˌlīz, ˈrür-\
-ed/-ing/-s

Definition of ruralize 

transitive verb

: to make rural : give a rural appearance to

intransitive verb

: to go into the country : rusticate ruralizing with my ancient cousin — Lippincott's Magazine

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of ruralize

1761, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

History and Etymology for ruralize

rural entry 1 + -ize

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about ruralize

Statistics for ruralize

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for ruralize

The first known use of ruralize was in 1761

See more words from the same year

Comments on ruralize

What made you want to look up ruralize? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

chapel

a private place of worship

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games