What does rurally mean?
“Rurally” is an adverb meaning in a manner associated with the countryside or rural areas. It may describe where an action or situation takes place, as in “The school is rurally situated,” or characterize an approach to life, work, or settlement, as in “Many families choose to live rurally.” The word is formal and somewhat literary, so speakers often use plainer alternatives such as “in the countryside” or “in rural areas” in ordinary conversation. Its associations extend beyond physical location: rurally described communities may be understood as small, agricultural, sparsely populated, or shaped by relationships with the surrounding landscape. The term is useful for making a distinction between rural and urban settings without repeating the adjective “rural.” Its pronunciation reflects the three syllables of the related adjective “rural,” with stress on the first syllable.
adverbIn a manner characteristic of the countryside or rural areas. It can describe how something is done or the kind of place, community, or way of life involved.
- In a manner characteristic of the countryside or rural areas.
"The village retains a peaceful, rurally distinctive character despite its proximity to the city."
"The community is rurally located but has excellent public transport."
"She likes to live rurally, away from the noise and congestion of the city."
Rurally carries the Latin root rus, meaning “countryside,” into modern English—one of the small linguistic links connecting village life with the word family of rural, rustic, and rurality.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rurally come from?
“Rurally” was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix “-ly” to the adjective “rural.” “Rural” comes through Old French from Latin “ruralis,” an adjective derived from “rus,” meaning “country” or “countryside.” The same Latin root underlies words such as “rustic,” “rurality,” and “rusticity.”
How rurally is actually used
“Rurally” is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday speech. It is especially useful when describing a location, lifestyle, practice, or characteristic in terms of its relationship to the countryside, though alternatives such as “in the countryside” may sound more natural in informal contexts.
Easily confused with rurally
“Rural” is an adjective describing something connected with the countryside, while “rurally” is an adverb describing an action or manner associated with rural places.