Bucolic
adjective /bjuːˈkɒl.ɪk/ — Of or relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside
Definition
Relating to the pleasant aspects of rural life and the countryside — with a suggestion of the idealized pastoral, the peaceful and simple life lived close to the land.
Beyond the definition
The countryside as longing. Bucolic has a slight nostalgia built in — it describes not just rural places but a particular imagined quality of rural life.
Origin & history
From Greek 'boukolikos' (of herdsmen) — from 'boukolos' (herdsman) — 'bous' (cow) + 'kolein' (to tend). The poetry of cow-herding, elevated.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
They fantasised about a bucolic life in the country — which lasted until they actually moved there.
The painting had a bucolic quality that made city viewers deeply nostalgic for something they'd never had.
Bucolic settings in literature often serve as contrast to the corruption and complexity of the city.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Bucolic” when the meaning fits your context: Relating to the pleasant aspects of rural life and the countryside — with a suggestion of the idealized pastoral, the peaceful and simple life lived close to the land.
Synonyms
Antonyms
urban, metropolitan, industrial
Related words
Bucolic vs pastoral
Bucolic relates specifically to the charming, rustic lifestyle of herdsmen or country dwellers. Pastoral often carries a broader, artistic connotation of scenes depicting shepherd life.
Questions about this word
What does "Bucolic" mean?
Bucolic is adjective meaning: Of or relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside. Relating to the pleasant aspects of rural life and the countryside — with a suggestion of the idealized pastoral, the peaceful and simple life lived close to the land.
Where does the word "Bucolic" come from?
From Greek 'boukolikos' (of herdsmen) — from 'boukolos' (herdsman) — 'bous' (cow) + 'kolein' (to tend). The poetry of cow-herding, elevated.