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

Set the mood with multiple candles in rustic holders and a simple, neutral centerpiece. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025

Suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, rustic wood, and soft lighting. —Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025

Noun

The rustic, log cabin-style main residence. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025

The island is home to Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge, which has eight cozy, rustic cabins. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025

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