redneck

noun

red·neck ˈred-ˌnek

1

sometimes disparaging : a white member of the Southern rural laboring class

2

often disparaging : a person whose behavior and opinions are similar to those attributed to rednecks

redneck adjective

or less commonly rednecked

ˈred-ˌnekt

often disparaging

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of redneck was in 1830

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Redneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redneck. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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