hillbilly

word

/ˈhɪɫbɪɫi/
/hˈɪlbɪlˌi/

Definition

A 'hillbilly' is a slang word for a person from a rural, usually mountainous area, especially in the southern United States. It is often used in a negative or joking way to mean someone uneducated or old-fashioned.

Usage & Nuances

Strongly informal and often offensive; 'hillbilly' can insult someone's intelligence or social status. Common in cultural stereotypes, jokes, music (e.g., 'hillbilly music'), and sometimes self-identified with pride. Use cautiously, mostly in historical or self-referential contexts.

Example Sentences

He called me a hillbilly because I grew up on a farm.

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The movie tells the story of a hillbilly family in Kentucky.

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Some people feel proud to be called a hillbilly.

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Don't let city folks call you a hillbilly—you have your own strengths.

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He laughed and said, 'Guess I'm just a hillbilly at heart.'

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The term hillbilly is sometimes used in American country songs.

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