Yokel

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈyəʊ.kÉ™l/
• US IPA: /ˈyoÊŠ.kÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -əʊkÉ™l

Origin

1812, possibly dialectical German Jokel, diminutive of Jakob; alternatively, from dialectal English yokel ("woodpecker").

Online Etymology Dictionary

Full definition of yokel

Noun

1. (pejorative) An unsophisticated person.
2. A person of rural background.

Synonyms

• boor
• bumpkin
• joskin
• hillbilly US
• hick