Hillbilly

/ˈhɪlbɪli/

noun

An uneducated person who lives in a rural area, typically in the Southern United States.

The city folk saw him as a stereotypical hillbilly, with his southern drawl and simple ways.

Often appears as...

hillbilly music
hillbilly attitude

Usage tips

Disapproving

adjective

Relating to hillbillies, especially their manner, way of life, or culture.

He enjoyed the hillbilly music playing on the radio.

Often appears as...

hillbilly music
hillbilly culture

noun

An uneducated person who lives in a rural area, typically in the Southern United States.

The city folk saw him as a stereotypical hillbilly, with his southern drawl and simple ways.

Often appears as...

hillbilly music
hillbilly attitude

Usage tips

Disapproving

adjective

Relating to hillbillies, especially their manner, way of life, or culture.

He enjoyed the hillbilly music playing on the radio.

Often appears as...

hillbilly music
hillbilly culture

Definition 1 of 2

Pro Tip 1/3

Stereotype Alert

Be cautious, as 'hillbilly' often carries negative stereotypes and might offend some individuals.

Referring to someone as a hillbilly can be seen as an insult.

Pro Tip 2/3

Cultural Nuance

Understand that 'hillbilly' refers to specific rural cultures in the Southern US and shouldn't be used for all rural people.

She studied the hillbilly culture of the Appalachian region for her anthropology paper.

Pro Tip 3/3

Non-Urban Context

'Hillbilly' is used for people in rural settings and reflects an outsider's view rather than self-identification.

The film depicted the main character as a hillbilly, living far away from the city.

Pro Tip 1/3

Stereotype Alert

Be cautious, as 'hillbilly' often carries negative stereotypes and might offend some individuals.

Referring to someone as a hillbilly can be seen as an insult.

Pro Tip 2/3

Cultural Nuance

Understand that 'hillbilly' refers to specific rural cultures in the Southern US and shouldn't be used for all rural people.

She studied the hillbilly culture of the Appalachian region for her anthropology paper.

Pro Tip 3/3

Non-Urban Context

'Hillbilly' is used for people in rural settings and reflects an outsider's view rather than self-identification.

The film depicted the main character as a hillbilly, living far away from the city.

Pro Tip 1/3

Stereotype Alert

Be cautious, as 'hillbilly' often carries negative stereotypes and might offend some individuals.

Referring to someone as a hillbilly can be seen as an insult.

Pro Tip 2/3

Cultural Nuance

Understand that 'hillbilly' refers to specific rural cultures in the Southern US and shouldn't be used for all rural people.

She studied the hillbilly culture of the Appalachian region for her anthropology paper.

Pro Tip 3/3

Non-Urban Context

'Hillbilly' is used for people in rural settings and reflects an outsider's view rather than self-identification.

The film depicted the main character as a hillbilly, living far away from the city.

Compare with

backwoodsmanhickredneckrustic

Look up Compare with

Visual representation of the word "Hillbilly"

Never forget "Hillbilly"

Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!

Video examples

3 stories of local...

than what she gave me it says save the endangered hillbillies so you know look so homegirls and hillbillies we got it together and totally understand that this is what it's all about but um just

Video examples

Majora Carter: 3 stories...

So homegirls and hillbillies we got it together and totally understand that this is what it's all about. But just a few months ago, Judy was diagnosed with stage-three lung cancer.

Video examples

See How Chainsaw Art...

hillbilly research and development artistic center i'm a voracious reader sometimes i'll read a book and then i'll go out and carve the characters

Video examples

3 stories of local...

than what she gave me it says save the endangered hillbillies so you know look so homegirls and hillbillies we got it together and totally understand that this is what it's all about but um just

Video examples

Majora Carter: 3 stories...

So homegirls and hillbillies we got it together and totally understand that this is what it's all about. But just a few months ago, Judy was diagnosed with stage-three lung cancer.

Video examples

See How Chainsaw Art...

hillbilly research and development artistic center i'm a voracious reader sometimes i'll read a book and then i'll go out and carve the characters

Example 1 of 3

Quote examples

J. D. Vance

American Author

Hillbillies learn from an early age to deal with uncomfortable truths by avoiding them or by pretending better truths exist. This tendency might make for psychological resilience, but it also makes it hard for Appalachians to look at themselves honestly.

Quote examples

Chuck Berry

American Musician

The music played most around St. Louis was country-western and swing. Curiosity provoked me to lay a lot of the country stuff on our predominantly black audience. After they laughed at me a few times, they began requesting the hillbilly stuff.

Quote examples

Phil Hellmuth

American Celebrity

We have hillbillies with third grade educations and 8th grade educations who have conquered the poker world. There is no telling why someone is great at reading other people. Some people just are.

Quote examples

Brad Pitt

Actor

I'm a bit of a loner, you know? I'm more quiet by nature. And coming from, you know, hillbilly country, I'm probably more reserved.

Quote examples

Jessie James Decker

American Musician

I haven't gone hillbilly rich, where you spend everything you have.

Quote examples

Brad Paisley

American Musician

Deep down, I'm just a West Virginia hillbilly.

Quote examples

Ry Cooder

American Musician

Country hillbilly music I love. Always have.

Quote examples

Marty Stuart

American Musician

I make no apology about being a hillbilly.

Quote examples

Gretchen Wilson

American Musician

I still fit in with the hillbillies!

Quote examples

Elvis Presley

American Singer

I'm no hillbilly singer.

Quote examples

J. D. Vance

American Author

Hillbillies learn from an early age to deal with uncomfortable truths by avoiding them or by pretending better truths exist. This tendency might make for psychological resilience, but it also makes it hard for Appalachians to look at themselves honestly.

Quote examples

Chuck Berry

American Musician

The music played most around St. Louis was country-western and swing. Curiosity provoked me to lay a lot of the country stuff on our predominantly black audience. After they laughed at me a few times, they began requesting the hillbilly stuff.

Quote examples

Phil Hellmuth

American Celebrity

We have hillbillies with third grade educations and 8th grade educations who have conquered the poker world. There is no telling why someone is great at reading other people. Some people just are.

Quote examples

Brad Pitt

Actor

I'm a bit of a loner, you know? I'm more quiet by nature. And coming from, you know, hillbilly country, I'm probably more reserved.

Quote examples

Jessie James Decker

American Musician

I haven't gone hillbilly rich, where you spend everything you have.

Quote examples

Brad Paisley

American Musician

Deep down, I'm just a West Virginia hillbilly.

Quote examples

Ry Cooder

American Musician

Country hillbilly music I love. Always have.

Quote examples

Marty Stuart

American Musician

I make no apology about being a hillbilly.

Quote examples

Gretchen Wilson

American Musician

I still fit in with the hillbillies!

Quote examples

Elvis Presley

American Singer

I'm no hillbilly singer.

Example 1 of 10

WordUp Chrome Extension

As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.

Get Chrome Extension