Definition

Adjective: - Exhibiting characteristics stereotypically associated with an unsophisticated, ignorant, or stupid rural person; rustic in a foolish or simple-minded way.

Usage

This adjective is used to describe a person, their appearance, behavior, or expression as resembling that of a naive or foolish country dweller (a yokel). It is a derogatory and pejorative term.

Examples

• The tourist had a yokel-like grin as he stared at the tall buildings.
• He was dismissed by the city council due to his yokel-like manners.
• The boy's empty yokel-like expression suggested he didn't understand the complex instructions.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in literary or critical contexts to imply a lack of urbanity, worldliness, or intelligence, based on stereotypical contrasts between rural and urban life.
• It can function as a predicate adjective (e.g., "His demeanor was yokel-like") or an attributive adjective (e.g., "a yokel-like attitude").

Variants and Related Words

• Yokel (noun): An unsophisticated country person.
• Bumpkin-like (adjective): Similar in meaning to yokel-like; characteristic of a rustic simpleton.
• Rustic (adjective): Of or relating to the countryside; simple or unsophisticated. (Note: "rustic" can be neutral or positive, while "yokel-like" is always negative).
• Hillbilly-like (adjective): (Chiefly US) Characteristic of an unsophisticated person from a remote rural area.

Synonyms

• Bumpkinish
• Rube-like
• Hayseed-like
• Provincial
• Unsophisticated (in a derogatory sense)

Antonyms

• Sophisticated
• Cosmopolitan
• Urbane
• Worldly

Adjective

1. stupid and ignorant like proverbial rural inhabitants
   • the boy's empty yokel-like expression