Bucolic: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to evoke an idealized version of country life, focusing on the simplicity and peacefulness of rural areas.

• The bucolic scenery of the rolling hills was breathtaking.
• They enjoyed a bucolic lifestyle by the lake.

Used to describe something simple, rough, or primitive, often related to the countryside and handmade aesthetics.

• The restaurant had a rustic charm with its wooden tables and stone walls.
• They enjoyed a rustic cabin getaway in the mountains.

Often used to evoke the charms and tranquility of the countryside, particularly in relation to shepherds or the great outdoors.

• The pastoral landscape was filled with grazing sheep.
• She wrote poetry about pastoral life and the beauty of nature.

Describes something that is extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque, ideal for fairy-tale or perfect scenarios.

• The couple spent an idyllic week on the secluded island.
• They found an idyllic cottage in the countryside.

This word is often used to describe something that pertains to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life. It focuses on the charm and simplicity of rural living.

• The bucolic landscape was dotted with grazing sheep and flowering meadows.
• They decided to leave the city for a more bucolic life in the countryside.

Pastoral is used to describe the rural life, particularly in an idealized form. It often involves artistic expressions that depict shepherds or country life as peaceful and simple. In literature and art, it suggests a romanticized perspective of countryside settings.

• The painting had a pastoral beauty, showing shepherds tending to their flocks.
• Her poems often contain pastoral themes, emphasizing the serene beauty of nature.

Idyll refers to an extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque scene, usually in rural settings. It can describe a short piece of writing, music, or any depiction that evokes these qualities.

• They enjoyed a brief idyll by the lake, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
• The novel paints an idyllic scene of village life in its earlier chapters.