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Definition of boondocks

boondocks

/ˈbuːn.dɑːks/
boon · docks
Plural:boondocks
•
Adjective:boondock
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boondocks Lexical Profile

boondocks Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American Rough, remote, and isolated rural country or backwoods far from urban civilization (usually preceded by "the").

Example

"They bought an old farmhouse out in the boondocks where cell phone reception barely reaches."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Almost always used in the plural with the definite article ("the boondocks"), especially in the prepositional phrase "out in the boondocks".

• Nearby Words

boomtown
boon
boondock
boondocks
boondoggle
boonies
boor

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed into American English from the Tagalog word "bundok" (meaning "mountain"), adopted by U.S. military personnel during the Philippine-American War (1899–1902) to refer to rough, remote backcountry terrain.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Boondocks. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/boondocks
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