Hick: meaning, definitions and examples

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hick

 

[ hɪk ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

person

A person who lives in a rural area and is regarded as being unintelligent or uncultured.

Synonyms

bumpkin, country bumpkin, rustic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hick

Often used in a derogatory manner to describe someone from a rural area who is perceived as unsophisticated or uncultured.

  • He called him a hick just because he wore overalls to the city.
  • Don't be such a hick, we're in the 21st century.
rustic

Used to describe someone or something with a simple, rural charm. It can be a compliment when describing décor, lifestyle, or people.

  • The cottage has a rustic charm that's hard to resist.
  • He has a rustic way of life, close to nature and away from the hustle and bustle.
bumpkin

Typically a more neutral or slightly humorous term to describe someone from a rural area, suggesting simplicity and lack of refinement.

  • He's a charming bumpkin with a heart of gold.
  • The city folks found his bumpkin ways endearing.
country bumpkin

A slightly more detailed form of 'bumpkin', emphasizing the rural origin of the person. It can be used humorously or patronizingly.

  • She married a country bumpkin and moved to the farm.
  • Just because he's a country bumpkin doesn't mean he lacks intelligence.

Examples of usage

  • He's just a hick from the countryside.
  • Don't be such a hick, try to blend in with the city folks.
Context #2 | Noun

tool

A tool consisting of a metal blade with a handle, used for cutting material such as wood or metal.

Synonyms

axe, chopper, hatchet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hick

Used to describe a person who is perceived as unsophisticated or from a rural area. This term has a negative connotation and can be seen as derogatory.

  • Everyone thought he was just a hick who wouldn't understand city life.
  • Don't call her a hick just because she grew up on a farm.
axe

A general term for a tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle, used for chopping wood. It is a versatile word commonly used in everyday language whenever referring to this tool.

  • He took the axe and started chopping wood for the fireplace.
  • The lumberjack swung his axe with precision.
chopper

Informal word for an axe, often used in casual settings or to emphasize the act of chopping. It's also used to refer to a helicopter in certain contexts, but unrelated to the context here.

  • Grab the chopper, we need to cut down that old tree.
  • He sharpened the chopper before heading out to the woods.
hatchet

Refers to a small axe with a short handle, used for chopping or as a hand tool. It is often used in more specific or precise contexts than 'axe'. It can also be used metaphorically to mean settling a dispute.

  • He used a hatchet to split the kindling for the fire.
  • It's time to bury the hatchet and move on from our past disagreements.

Examples of usage

  • He used a hick to chop firewood.
  • Make sure to use the right hick for this job.

Translations

Translations of the word "hick" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caipira

🇮🇳 गँवार (ganvār)

🇩🇪 Hinterwäldler

🇮🇩 kampungan

🇺🇦 простак

🇵🇱 wieśniak

🇯🇵 田舎者 (inakasha)

🇫🇷 péquenaud

🇪🇸 paleto

🇹🇷 köylü

🇰🇷 촌뜨기 (chontteugi)

🇸🇦 ريفي (rifi)

🇨🇿 vidlák

🇸🇰 vidlák

🇨🇳 乡巴佬 (xiāngbālǎo)

🇸🇮 kmetavz

🇮🇸 sveitamaður

🇰🇿 ауылбай (auylbai)

🇬🇪 გლეხი (glekhi)

🇦🇿 kəndli

🇲🇽 paleto

Etymology

The word 'hick' originated in the late 18th century, as a colloquial shortening of the word 'hickory', which refers to a type of wood used in making tools. Over time, 'hick' evolved to also describe a person from a rural area. It is often used in a derogatory manner to imply someone is unsophisticated or simple.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,839 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.