rube

noun

1
: an awkward unsophisticated person : rustic
2
: a naive or inexperienced person

Examples of rube in a Sentence

They treated us as if we were a bunch of rubes. rural voters were tired of being treated as rubes by state officials, who showed interest in them only at election time
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s easy: a rube, chump, or mark, whose naive optimism sets them up for betrayal. Jamil Zaki, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024 Sometimes, the film’s examination of excess can simply be excessive, but The Wolf of Wall Street is hypnotizing — and a damning condemnation of us poor rubes. Will Leitch, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024 Play your cards right and a meal can be made with minimal effort; just don’t be the rube who stalks the kitchen door. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2024 For a yutz like me, a business rube, what’s some advice about how to win a negotiation? David Marchese David Marchese Photograph By Mamadi Doumbouya, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for rube 

Word History

Etymology

Rube, nickname for Reuben

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rube was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near rube

Cite this Entry

“Rube.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rube. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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