rustic

1 of 2

adjective

rus·tic ˈrə-stik

variants or less commonly rustical

ˈrə-sti-kəl

Synonyms of rustic

: of, relating to, or suitable for the country : rural

rustic rolling farmland

: made of the rough limbs of trees

rustic furniture

: finished by rusticating

a rustic joint in masonry

: characteristic of or resembling country people

… depicted Arcadian landscapes with rustic figures …—Philippa Lewis and Gillian Darley

This bucolic frame of mind has opened the door for a cuisine with rustic American roots …—Richard Dunmire and Joan Griffiths

: lacking in social graces or polish

: 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

: an inhabitant of a rural area

: an awkward coarse person

: an unsophisticated rural person

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Adjective

Inside, a large stone fireplace connects an open-plan living area and dining room; there’s wood paneling everywhere, and more than one piece of rustic log furniture to really cement that cabin feel. — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 His creator, an unnamed basket-weaver (Peter Dinklage), braided him as a mate for a lonely virgin, a fisherwoman (Olivia Colman) who stomps around her rustic village smelling like sushi and tossing her head back in an Eliza Doolittle guffaw. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Think earthy stone surfaces, deep woods, and sleek modern headboards juxtaposed with the kind of rustic, wooly blankets that would fit nicely into Ralph Lauren’s Colorado ranch. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 Tucked street-side, a heavy timber entry gate splits three wooden garage bays to welcome guests into the rustic home. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rustic

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of rustic was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rustic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rustic. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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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

rustic

adjective

noun

Synonyms of rustic

Examples of rustic in a Sentence

Word History

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Kids Definition

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