rural
ROOR-ruhl
Rural (adj) means relating to the countryside, farmland, or village life, as opposed to cities. Example: “They moved from the city to a rural area to raise their kids.”
adj
1
Relating to the countryside, farmland, or village life, as opposed to cities.
"They moved from the city to a rural area to raise their kids."
"Rural hospitals often struggle to attract enough doctors."
"The Australian teens, both from Melbourne, were enjoying a backpacking trip when they became ill after a night out in Vang Vieng. The picturesque rural town in northern Laos has long been a popular backpacking spot."
— Helen Regan, Australian teens among six tourists dead as countries warn of suspected methanol poisonings in Laos (2024)
"Many rural villages have only one shop and a small primary school."
How to use rural
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes the countryside or farming life, in contrast to urban city life.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "rustic" — rustic describes a countryside style or aesthetic (like rustic furniture), while rural simply describes location.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
rural areas
rural communities
urban and rural
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Word forms
- Plural
- rurals
- Comparative
- more rural
- Superlative
- most rural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They moved from the city to a _____ area to raise their kids.
Etymology
From Old French rural, from Latin rūrālis, from rūs ("countryside").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for rural
mural
plural
neural
natural
cultural
epidural
subdural
guttural
unnatural
inaugural
structural
procedural
See all rhymes for rural →
Frequently asked questions
What does “rural” mean?
The word “rural” means relating to the countryside, farmland, or village life, as opposed to cities. In plain terms, describes the countryside or farming life, in contrast to urban city life.
How do you pronounce “rural”?
“Rural” is pronounced ROOR-ruhl (/ˈɹʊɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “rural” in a sentence?
Here is “rural” used in a sentence: “They moved from the city to a rural area to raise their kids.”
What part of speech is “rural”?
“Rural” is an adjective.
Where does the word “rural” come from?
The word “rural” comes from Latin. From Old French rural, from Latin rūrālis, from rūs ("countryside").
Is “rural” a common word?
“Rural” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between rural and rustic?
"Rural" is a neutral, factual word meaning located in the countryside rather than a city. "Rustic" is more descriptive and stylistic, suggesting a plain, charming, old-fashioned country character — rustic furniture or a rustic cottage. An area is rural because of where it is; something is rustic because of how it looks or feels.
What is the difference between rural and urban?
They are direct opposites. "Rural" describes the countryside — farmland, villages, open space, and small populations. "Urban" describes towns and cities, with dense housing, busy streets, and large populations. Places in between, on the edge of cities, are often called suburban. Rural means country; urban means city.
What is an example of a rural area?
A farming village surrounded by fields, a remote hamlet in the hills, or open countryside dotted with barns and livestock are all rural. Such areas have few people, plenty of open land, and depend on agriculture or nature rather than industry and offices. They stand in contrast to busy towns and cities.
What jobs are common in rural areas?
Rural areas often centre on work tied to the land: farming, forestry, fishing, and raising livestock, along with related trades. Tourism, crafts, and small local businesses are common too. Because populations are spread out, many services rely on people travelling greater distances than they would in a city.
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