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

Six bedrooms and eight bathrooms are spread across roughly 8,800 square feet, with rustic hardwood floors, 11-foot ceilings, restored pocket doors, and detailed crown molding. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026 There are just nine suites in a building where nearly everything is made of rustic wood, with large windows that bring the outdoors in. — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 View gallery - 7 images This timber retreat is small on home comforts but big on simple rustic charm. — New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2026 An escape for visitors The hotel owners report a rise in popularity since reopening, with hotel industry analysts noting that younger generations in particular appreciate more rustic and less commercial hotel options. — Madeleine Kashkooli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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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