hillbilly

Word parts

hill + billy

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈhɪlˌbɪli/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular hillbilly

Plural hillbillies

1. (countable) A person who lives in the country in an area with many hills, and who has little money. Usually, this means an American from a region called Appalachia or a region called the Ozark Mountains. These people have homes and farms in the valleys between the hills.

   My dad is a hillbilly from eastern Kentucky.

   People often make fun of hillbillies without ever actually knowing one.

Usage notes

Some people call themselves hillbillies but other people are insulted to be called hillbillies.

Adjective

Positive hillbilly

Comparative more hillbilly

Superlative most hillbilly

1. Having to do with hillbillies, or typical of hillbillies.

Related words

• hillbilly music