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

What: The exhibition presents 26 large-scale photographs focusing on rural subjects. —Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2025

Crooked Creek fire On Thursday, firefighters contained another wildfire in McDowell County, the Crooked Creek fire that previously forced families to evacuate from their rural Western North Carolina homes. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2025

Raised in rural Tennessee, Roberta was stunned by the brutal reality of inner-city life. —Richard J. Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Feb. 2025

Opponents, including several GOP lawmakers representing rural areas, had argued that the program would negatively impact their communities by taking money away from public school systems. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 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

Kids Definition

rural

adjective

ru·​ral ˈru̇r-əl 

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