Rube: meaning, definitions and examples
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rube
[ ruːb ]
naive person
A rube is a person who is naive, unsophisticated, or inexperienced, especially in a particular area or context. Rubes are often seen as easy targets for scams or manipulation due to their lack of knowledge or awareness.
Synonyms
greenhorn, innocent, naive person
Examples of usage
- He fell for the scam because he was such a rube.
- Don't be such a rube, do your research before making a decision.
country person
In some contexts, a rube can refer to a person from a rural or country area, often with the implication of being unsophisticated or uncultured according to urban standards.
Synonyms
country bumpkin, hayseed, hick
Examples of usage
- He felt out of place in the city, being a rube from a small town.
- The city dwellers looked down on the rubes who visited from the countryside.
Translations
Translations of the word "rube" in other languages:
🇵🇹 desengonçado
🇮🇳 गंवार
🇩🇪 Tölpel
🇮🇩 orang bodoh
🇺🇦 незграба
🇵🇱 niezdara
🇯🇵 不器用な人
🇫🇷 balourd
🇪🇸 torpe
🇹🇷 hantal
🇰🇷 서투른 사람
🇸🇦 أخرق
🇨🇿 nešikovný člověk
🇸🇰 nešikovný človek
🇨🇳 笨拙的人
🇸🇮 neroda
🇮🇸 klaufi
🇰🇿 шала
🇬🇪 უხერხული ადამიანი
🇦🇿 kobud
🇲🇽 torpe
Word origin
The term 'rube' originated in the late 19th century in the United States, likely as a shortening of 'Reuben', a common name at the time associated with rural or unsophisticated individuals. It was often used by city dwellers to refer to people from the countryside, emphasizing their perceived lack of sophistication or worldliness. Over time, 'rube' has evolved to mean a naive or inexperienced person in a broader sense.