peasant

[ˈpɛz(ə)nt]

peasant Definition

  • 1a poor farmer of low social status who owns or rents a small piece of land for cultivation (chiefly in historical use or with reference to subsistence farming in poorer countries)
  • 2a person who is crude or uncultured in manner or behavior

Using peasant: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "peasant" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The peasants worked hard on the fields every day.

  • Example

    She was born into a family of peasants.

  • Example

    The village was inhabited by peasants and artisans.

  • Example

    The king had little regard for the lives of his peasant subjects.

peasant Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for peasant

Antonyms for peasant

Idioms Using peasant

  • someone who has a simple and unpretentious nature, despite their social status or education

    Example

    Despite his wealth and education, he remained a peasant at heart, preferring simple pleasures like gardening and reading.

  • a mindset characterized by a lack of ambition or aspiration, often associated with people from rural or working-class backgrounds

    Example

    Some people accuse him of having a peasant mentality, but he insists that he's just content with what he has.

  • an uprising or rebellion by peasants against their rulers or oppressors

    Example

    The peasant revolt was brutally suppressed by the king's army.

Phrases with peasant

  • a loose-fitting blouse with puffed sleeves and often a square neckline, typically made of cotton or linen and decorated with embroidery or lace

    Example

    She wore a peasant blouse with jeans and sandals.

  • a long, full skirt that is gathered at the waist and often made of cotton or other lightweight fabric, typically decorated with embroidery or other embellishments

    Example

    She paired her peasant skirt with a simple white t-shirt.

  • simple, hearty, and filling food that is typically associated with rural or working-class people

    Example

    The restaurant specializes in peasant food like stews, soups, and casseroles.

Origins of peasant

from Old French 'paisant', from pais, meaning 'country, region'

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Summary: peasant in Brief

The term 'peasant' [ˈpɛz(ə)nt] refers to a farmer of low social status who owns or rents a small piece of land for cultivation, or a person who is crude or uncultured in manner or behavior. It spans contexts from historical subsistence farming to modern-day rural life, exemplified by 'The peasants worked hard on the fields every day.' 'Peasant' extends into phrases like 'peasant food,' and idioms like 'a peasant at heart,' denoting a simple and unpretentious nature.

How do native speakers use this expression?