rustic

1 of 2

adjective

rus·​tic ˈrə-stik 

variants or less commonly rustical

ˈrə-sti-kəl 

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

… depicted Arcadian landscapes with rustic figures …

—Philippa Lewis and Gillian Darley

This bucolic frame of mind has opened the door for a cuisine with rustic American roots …

—Richard Dunmire and Joan Griffiths

b

: lacking in social graces or polish

4

: appropriate to the country (as in plainness or sturdiness)

heavy rustic boots

rustically

ˈrə-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

rusticity

ˌrə-ˈsti-sə-tē 

noun

rustic

2 of 2

noun

1

: an inhabitant of a rural area

2

a

: an awkward coarse person

b

: an unsophisticated rural person

Synonyms of rustic

Adjective

• uncomfortable
• uneasy
• clumsy
• awkward
• wooden

Noun

• peasant
• provincial
• hick
• bumpkin
• clown

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

The family room has a rustic feel thanks to the natural tongue and groove wall panelling. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

Original barn torn down The original barn was torn down and replaced with a rustic white structure with high ceilings, natural wood beams and enough space to accommodate around 200 guests. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

The stone cabins and canteen made of rounded river rocks showcase the rustic, homey appeal of the campground, whose outward appearance had changed little since 1922, according to the NPS. — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

At Auntie Luba’s Kitchen, a rustic kitchen that’s across the street from the hotel and overlooks the Placencia Lagoon, regional fare like curry chicken and conch fritters are served family-style—and meals end with a bonfire. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026

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

Kids Definition

rustic

1 of 2 adjective

rus·​tic ˈrəs-tik 

: of, relating to, or suitable for the country or country people : rural

rustically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

rusticity

ˌrəs-ˈtis-ət-ē 

noun

rustic

2 of 2 noun

: a person living or raised in the country