rural

adjective

ru·​ral ˈru̇r(-ə)l 

ˈrər(-ə)l

: of or relating to the country, country people or life, or agriculture

rurality

ru̇-ˈra-lə-tē 

noun

rurally

ˈru̇r-ə-lē 

ˈrər-

adverb

Synonyms of rural

• pastoral
• country
• rustic
• bucolic

Examples of rural in a Sentence

She lives in a rural area.

grew up in a rural community where more than half the people were farmers

Recent Examples on the Web

In places like Montana, bison have been received by some as a symbol not of hope but of government overreach and the power of elites over rural futures in a changing West. —The Conversation, 4 June 2026

Meanwhile, many rural Americans continue their fight while are struggling to have their voices heard. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 June 2026

Roads are congested, rural areas are increasingly under threat of development and Mansfield is losing the small-town feel to which so many longtimers were accustomed. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026

This satellite will provide broadband internet and communications capability for public use facilities in Indonesia’s rural regions. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin ruralis, from rur-, rus open land — more at room

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rural

• rural dean
• rural free delivery
• rural route

Rhymes for rural

• crural
• dural
• jural
• mural
• neural
• pleural
• plural
• sural
• extramural
• intramural
• intrapleural
• figural

Kids Definition

rural

adjective

ru·​ral ˈru̇r-əl 

: of or relating to the country, country people or life, or agriculture