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

• bucolic
• country
• pastoral
• rustic
• rustical

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

Both of those hurricanes made landfall in rural Taylor County. —Jim Turner, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024

The Norris School District, which serves students in grades K4-12, in rural southwestern Waukesha County, had just 37 students enrolled in 2023-24, according to the DPI. —Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024

Plans for the collaboration include podcasts from the small towns and rural communities in the South Central Tennessee region. —Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Determined to bring hope to their rural Pennsylvania community, the Castriotas embark on an ambitious mission to establish Leg Up Farm, a revolutionary therapy center for children with special needs. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

rural

adjective

ru·​ral ˈru̇r-əl 

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