What does rural mean?
Rural means relating to the countryside or to people, places, and ways of life outside towns and cities. It is especially associated with villages, farmland, sparse settlement, agriculture, and landscapes that are not heavily urbanized. The term is commonly used in phrases such as rural area, rural community, rural population, and rural economy. Although “rural” is generally neutral and geographical, it can sometimes suggest an older, simpler, or more traditional way of life, especially when contrasted with “urban.” In academic and public discussion, rural communities are often examined in relation to access to services, employment, transport, education, and healthcare. The word derives ultimately from the Latin rus, meaning “countryside,” and is closely related in origin to rustic.
adjectiveRelating to the countryside, rural communities, or a way of life outside towns and cities. It often contrasts with urban and may suggest sparsely populated areas, agriculture, or traditional communities.
- Relating to the countryside or to communities outside towns and cities.
- Characterized by rural rather than urban conditions, as in a sparsely populated area or an economy dependent on agriculture.
"The rural village is surrounded by fields and woodland."
"Rural residents may have better access to open space than people living in large cities."
"The report examines the challenges faced by rural schools in remote regions."
Rural shares its ancient root with rustic: both trace back to the Latin rus, meaning “countryside.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rural come from?
The word entered English in the early 16th century from French rural, which came from Latin ruralis, an adjective derived from rus, meaning “countryside” or “country.” Its Latin ancestry also connects it with rustic and rusticate, words preserving the same contrast between country life and urban or sophisticated life.
Related word forms
How rural is actually used
Rural is neutral in formal use, though it can sometimes carry the connotation of being traditional, rustic, or less developed than an urban equivalent. It is commonly used with geographical and demographic terms such as area, community, population, and economy.
Easily confused with rural
Rural is the standard geographical term for countryside life and communities, while rustic more often characterizes something perceived as simple, traditional, or unsophisticated.
Rural describes the countryside or areas outside cities, whereas urban describes cities and the built environments associated with them.