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

This centuries-old tradition, celebrated with music, folk dances, and vibrant parades, marks the end of summer grazing and is one of Europe’s most picturesque and authentic rural festivals. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

But, whether in galleries in Johannesburg, Bulawayo, or Paris, or on the walls of huts in rural Matobo, the art form will continue, a fascinating case of a modernist art form existing outside of Western paradigms. —Percy Zvomuya, Artforum, 1 June 2025

Public transportation is limited, so renting a car is recommended for getting around Extremadura’s rural areas and smaller towns. —Carlsen Jes, Travel + Leisure, 1 June 2025

He was shot dead at his cottage in rural Ireland four months later. —Arkansas Online, 31 May 2025

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
• extramural
• intramural
• intrapleural
• figural
• flexural

Kids Definition

rural

adjective

ru·​ral ˈru̇r-əl 

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