Yokel Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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yokel

[ˈjoʊ.kəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

person

A yokel is a person who is unsophisticated and uneducated, typically from a rural area.

Synonyms

bumpkin, hick, redneck.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
yokel	Used to refer to someone from a rural area who seems unsophisticated or naive. It often has a humorous or mildly derogatory tone. The city folks laughed at the yokel's confusion over the subway system.
bumpkin	Often used in a light-hearted or teasing manner to describe someone from the countryside who is perceived as simple or unschooled in modern ways. She felt like a bumpkin at the fancy gala, unsure of which fork to use.
hick	This word typically carries a negative connotation, implying that someone from a rural area is unsophisticated, ignorant, or uncultured. He was called a hick because he didn't know much about city life.
redneck	Used mainly in the United States to describe a rural, working-class person, sometimes with negative connotations related to perceived bigotry or backwardness. She was offended when they called her a redneck for liking country music.

Examples of usage

He's just a yokel from the countryside.
Don't expect much from that yokel.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

behavior

Yokel can also refer to someone who behaves in a naive or foolish manner.

Synonyms

fool, naive person, simpleton.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
yokel	Used to describe someone from a rural area who is perceived as unsophisticated or naive. Often has a negative connotation and can be considered insulting. The city folks laughed at the yokel's unfamiliarity with modern technology. He's just a yokel who doesn't understand the ways of the big city.
fool	Refers to someone who acts unwisely or lacks good judgment. It has a strong negative connotation and is often used to criticize someone's actions or decisions. Don't be a fool and invest all your money in a single stock. She felt like a fool after believing his lies for so long.
simpleton	Describes someone who is perceived as lacking intelligence or common sense. This term is usually used in a derogatory manner. Only a simpleton would believe such an outrageous story. They treated him like a simpleton because he didn't understand the instructions.
naive person	Describes someone who is inexperienced and lacks worldly wisdom. This term is often used less harshly and can sometimes evoke sympathy rather than outright judgment. As a naive person, he struggled to navigate the complexities of office politics. She was such a naive person, trusting strangers too easily.

Examples of usage

Don't be such a yokel and fall for that scam.
She displayed a yokel-like behavior by believing everything she was told.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'yokel'

The word 'yokel' originated in the early 19th century and is believed to be a dialect alteration of 'yokel', which means a yokel or country bumpkin. It is often used in a derogatory manner to describe someone who is perceived as unsophisticated or naive.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,171, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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37168 agglomerating
37169 torpidity
37170 wuss
37171 yokel
37172 duffer
37173 sleuths
37174 inattentiveness
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