rustic

adjective rus·tic \ ˈrə-stik \

variants: or less commonly rustical play \ˈrə-sti-kəl\

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of rustic

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

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rustically

play \ˈrə-sti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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rusticity

play \ˌrə-ˈsti-sə-tē\ noun

See rustic defined for English-language learners

See rustic defined for kids

Examples of rustic in a Sentence

The inn has a rustic atmosphere.
rustic yokels whose first impulse was to smirk gawkily at anyone not of their own kind

Recent Examples of rustic from the Web

The episode of the Jim Bakker Show featured photos of rustic wood cabins and condo units.

— USA TODAY, "Televangelist/condo salesman Jim Bakker: Ozarks are safest place to live during the apocalypse," 11 May 2018
Whether your travels take you to fine-dining restaurants, low-key alehouses or even rustic cabins in the woods, make like an Alaskan and fuel your adventures with one of our beloved, home-grown brews.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Raise your glass to beer born and brewed in Alaska," 3 May 2018
The vibe is appropriately rustic (lots of pine and Pendleton) with just the right amount of high-end touches (really nice linens and waterfall showers).

— cnt editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "Best New Hotels in the World," 1 May 2018
Generations of club members have paid nominal fees to use the rustic cabin, which sits on 1.4 acres facing the Great South Bay.

— colin moynihan, New York Times, "Fire Island Cabin Sale Incites Rebellion Over Seaside Haven," 25 Mar. 2018
While many require mountaineering experience to access, some, like the Wates-Gibson Hut and the Sydney Vallance Hut in Jasper, are rustic log cabins in the woods that can be reached after a good day’s hike.

— daniel otis, Sunset, "Where to Stay & Dine in Banff & Jasper National Parks," 22 Jan. 2018
New York Times - Watch Daria Werbowy contemplate the falling rain in a rustic cabin and wander a desolate beach in the fall campaign for AG Adriano Goldschmeid, below.

— julie kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Charlotte Rampling's NARS Campaign Is Here, Plus More!," 1 Aug. 2014
Amber envisions a comfortable future that includes a family, a modern-yet-rustic house and a good job, maybe as a business owner.

— sarah gonser, NBC News, "Students are being prepared for jobs that no longer exist. Here's how that could change.," 12 Apr. 2018
Guests can also rent one of the four rustic log cabins.

— elizabeth warkentin, BostonGlobe.com, "Quaint sugaring experiences in Quebec," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rustic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.