noun
Common
sticks
stihks
Sticks (noun) means Informal: a rural or remote area, far from a city. Example: “Her cousin lives somewhere out in the sticks, miles from the nearest shop.”
noun
1
Informal: a rural or remote area, far from a city.
"Her cousin lives somewhere out in the sticks, miles from the nearest shop."
"They moved out to the sticks after retiring."
"It's a two-hour drive out to the sticks from here."
How to use sticks
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe countryside, especially somewhere remote or unfashionable — usually said with a hint of humor.
When to use it
Informal, slightly dismissive term for rural areas.
Common pairings
out in the sticks
live in the sticks
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Her cousin lives somewhere out in the _____, miles from the nearest shop.
Synonyms
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backwoods
backcountry
outback
backwater
countryside
the wilds
See: Thesaurus:remote place
boonies
boondocks
hinterland
middle of nowhere
the sticks
Related words
Rhymes for sticks
See all rhymes for sticks →Frequently asked questions
What does “sticks” mean?
The word “sticks” means informal: a rural or remote area, far from a city. In plain terms, the countryside, especially somewhere remote or unfashionable — usually said with a hint of humor.
How do you pronounce “sticks”?
“Sticks” is pronounced stihks (/stɪks/ in IPA).
How do you use “sticks” in a sentence?
Here is “sticks” used in a sentence: “They moved out to the sticks after retiring.”
What is another word for “sticks”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sticks” include See: Thesaurus:remote place, boonies, boondocks, hinterland, middle of nowhere and the sticks.
What part of speech is “sticks”?
“Sticks” is a noun.
Is “sticks” a common word?
“Sticks” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is 'the sticks' formal or informal?
"The sticks" is informal and colloquial, used in casual speech rather than formal writing. It carries a mildly dismissive tone, suggesting a place that is remote and far from city life.
What is the difference between 'the sticks' and 'the suburbs'?
"The sticks" means a remote, rural area far from any city, often implying isolation. "The suburbs" are residential areas on the edge of a city, still closely connected to it.
Is calling a place 'the sticks' offensive?
It is casual slang and usually meant lightly rather than as a serious insult, but it can sound dismissive because it frames a place as backward or cut off. Whether it offends depends on tone and on how the listener feels about rural areas.
What phrase is 'sticks' usually part of?
In this meaning, the word almost always appears as "the sticks," commonly in "out in the sticks" or "way out in the sticks." On its own, "sticks" more often means pieces of wood.
