Rustic
/ˈrʌstɪk/
adjectivenounB2
Definition
Rustic means something that belongs to the countryside and is simple or rough in style. It often describes homes, furniture, or places that look natural and not modern or fancy. As a noun, a rustic is a person from the countryside, often seen as simple or traditional.
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See It in Action
Related to the countryside; simple and natural in style
- •They stayed in a rustic cabin by the lake during their vacation.
- •The restaurant had rustic decorations with wooden tables and old lamps.
- •She likes rustic furniture made of rough wood and natural materials.
A person from the countryside, often simple or traditional
- •The story talks about a rustic who lives in a small village.
- •Some people think of rustics as people who know how to live simply and close to nature.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'rustic' like 'simple' or 'country' (A1 words), but with a feeling of old, natural, and not smooth or modern
- ✓Picture a small wooden house in the forest or a farm with rough wooden tables and chairs
- ✓It's the feeling of being away from the city, in nature, with fresh air and quiet sounds
- ✓Sounds like 'rust-ic' → imagine rusty old tools or wood that looks a little rough but strong and natural
- ✓Think of stories or movies about farm life or small villages where everything is basic but cozy
- ✓NOT like 'modern' or 'city' (new, smooth, and busy) but 'rustic' is old, natural, and quiet
- ✓NOT like 'luxurious' (rich and fancy), rustic is simple and plain but charming in its own way
Try Other Words
- •Country: related to rural areas and life (Use when describing rural places or style, less focus on roughness)
- •Rural: belonging to the countryside (Use when talking about location or area, more formal)
- •Rough: not smooth or polished (Use when emphasizing texture or surface, less about style)
- •Natural: coming from nature, not made by people (Use when focusing on materials or appearance)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'rustic' comes from Latin root 'rusticus' meaning 'of the countryside'
- •Etymology: From Latin 'rusticus,' meaning rural or country-like, related to 'rus' (country)
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to describe country life or simple, natural style
- •Modern usage: Describes anything with a natural, old, or country look, like furniture, homes, or atmosphere
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of rustic style change when you see it in different cultures or countries?
•Can something be both rustic and modern at the same time? How would that look or feel?
Fill in the blanks
1.The cabin had a ___ look, with wooden walls and simple furniture made from tree trunks.
2.People often choose ___ decorations to make their homes feel warm and natural.
3.A ___ person usually lives far from the city in a small village or farm.
4.Unlike a modern apartment, the house was ___ and had a rough wooden floor.
5.The ___ charm of the old barn made it a popular place for weddings.
6.When you say something is ___, you mean it is not smooth or fancy but natural and simple.
7.The ___ lifestyle is often slower and closer to nature than city life.