rural
gb/ɹˈʊɹəl/ us/ɹˈʊɹəl/
A2
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Relating to the countryside
About the countryside, not the city.
Usage pattern:
[something] is rural
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rural' with 'suburban'; 'suburban' means an area near a city, not in the countryside.
Synonyms
country (Informal term often used to describe areas outside cities; less formal than 'rural'.)
|
pastoral (More literary or poetic, often emphasizing peaceful or idealized countryside life.)
Antonyms
urban (Describes areas that are in or related to towns and cities, opposite of rural.)
Collocations
rural area
|rural community
|rural development
|rural life
|rural population
Themes
geography
|lifestyle
|society
|nature
|travel
|daily_life
Examples
- She grew up in a rural village far from the nearest city.
- Rural communities often have limited access to public transportation.
- The government is investing in rural healthcare programs.
- They moved to a rural area to enjoy a quieter lifestyle.
- Rural landscapes are often used in tourism advertisements.
Learner examples
- I live in a rural town.
- The rural area is very quiet.
- We visited a rural farm.
- Rural roads can be small and empty.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rural
IPA
GB/ɹˈʊɹəl/
US/ɹˈʊɹəl/
Syllables & stress
rur - al (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (rur)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: rural
Word family
Related words
countryside
noun A2
village
noun A1
Negative and opposite forms
urban
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
rurally
adverb
Expressions
rural area
1/ɹˈʊɹəl ˈɛɹiə/
fixed phrase
An area in the countryside
A place outside a city or town, usually with farms, fields, or small villages.
Examples
- Many rural areas have slower internet speeds.
- She works as a doctor in a rural area.
rural community
1/ɹˈʊɹəl kəmjˈunɪti/
fixed phrase
People living in the countryside
A group of people who live together in a countryside location.
Examples
- Rural communities often have strong traditions.
- The project aims to support small rural communities.
rural development
1/ɹˈʊɹəl dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
Improvement of life in rural areas
Efforts to make life better for people living in the countryside, such as building roads or schools.
Examples
- Rural development programs focus on infrastructure and education.
- The government has launched new rural development initiatives.
rural life
1/ɹˈʊɹəl lˈaɪf/
fixed phrase
Lifestyle of the countryside
The way people live in the countryside, often quieter and with more nature than cities.
Examples
- He enjoys the peace of rural life.
- Rural life can be challenging without good transport.
rural population
1/ɹˈʊɹəl pˌɑpjəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
People living in rural areas (statistics)
The number of people who live outside cities and towns.
Examples
- The rural population has been declining over the past decade.
- Healthcare access is a major issue for the rural population.