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

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

Adjective

• wooden
• clumsy

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

Plus, the bowl’s cream color is complemented by orange leaf accents and a brown stem that will give your tablescape a rustic vibe. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025

The rustic setting at Camp Wandawega is intentionally authentic, complete with old plumbing and the occasional spider. —Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Noun

Inspired by Crow’s time performing at Colorado ski lodges—think Gothic-meets-rustic with stone archways, vaulted ceilings, and walls of glass—the estate contains a whopping 10 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2025

And don’t struggle between the shrimp and cheddar grits in Louisiana gravy and the rustic smoked 44 Farms brisket hash—just give in and order both. —Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 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