rustic

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

1

: an inhabitant of a rural area

2

a

: an awkward coarse person

b

: an unsophisticated rural person

rusticity

3 of 3

noun (2)

rus·​tic·​i·​ty ˌrəˈstisətē 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

1

: a lack of ease or refinement : awkwardness of manner : gaucherie

any little rusticity of gait or pronunciation … was so quickly and completely lost

—Samuel Butler †1902

2

: gracelessness of language : failure to reveal polish or elegance

had the rusticity of the average freshman theme

3

: a lack of perception or knowledge : ignorance, stupidity

was ashamed of my own rusticity in that distinguished company

4

: the quality or state of being rustic

the rusticity of … country towns

—American Guide Series: Indiana

Synonyms of rustic

Adjective

• uncomfortable
• uneasy
• clumsy
• awkward
• wooden

Noun (1)

• 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 (1)

a rustic who was awed by the prices that city dwellers had to pay

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Inside each home, thick stone walls and handwoven linens create spaces that feel both rustic and refined. — Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

Their three children, Arabella, Joseph and Theodore, also joined the trip, with Trump sharing a family photo of the five together outside a rustic home surrounded by greenery. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

This set comes with four chairs made from bamboo that have a natural, rustic-looking finish. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2026

Blockchain has also become useful in rustic states with expanding technology sectors, such as South Dakota. — K.h. Koehler, Ascend Agency, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English rustik, from Latin rusticus, from rus open land — more at room

Noun (2)

Middle French rusticité, from Latin rusticus + Middle French -ité -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1531, 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