What does "city" mean?
A large settlement, bigger than a town; sometimes with a specific legal definition, depending on the place.
City
/ˈsɪt.i/ name, noun, slang
name, noun, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A large settlement, bigger than a town; sometimes with a specific legal definition, depending on the place.
- Grammar: city is listed as name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: metropolis, urban center, aalst, aberdeen.
- Useful contrasts: noncity, country towns, open country.
- Usage evidence: Paris is the most beautiful city in the world.
How to use "city"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "city" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "city" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "city" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "city" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "city" is acting as name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "metropolis" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "city", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A large settlement, bigger than a town; sometimes with a specific legal definition, depending on the place.
"São Paulo is the largest city in South America."
- 2 people living in a large densely populated municipality wordnet
- 3 A settlement granted special status by royal charter or letters patent; traditionally, a settlement with a cathedral regardless of size. UK, historical
"Manchester, incorporated in 1838, was made the centre of a bishopric in 1847 and became a city in 1853. Liverpool was transformed into a city by Royal Charter when the new diocese of Liverpool was created in 1880."
- 4 a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts wordnet
- 5 The central business district; downtown. Australia
"I'm going into the city today to do some shopping."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 an incorporated administrative district established by state charter wordnet
- 7 A large amount of something (used after the noun). slang
"It’s video game city in here!"
Proper Noun
- 1 Manchester City Football Club, an English football club. informal
"City will reportedly look to have a fee for Aguero."
- 2 The City of London, the historic core of London where the Roman settlement of Londinium was established. UK
- 3 The United Kingdom's financial industries, which are principally based in the City of London. UK
- 4 The borough of Manhattan, the historic core of New York. New-York
- 5 Any of several other cities in metropolitan areas (such as San Francisco).
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Paris is the most beautiful city in the world."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "city"?
Common synonyms include: metropolis, urban center, aalst, aberdeen, abila, abilene.
How do you use "city" in a sentence?
Paris is the most beautiful city in the world.
How do you pronounce "city"?
Pronounced /ˈsɪt.i/.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English cite, derived from Old French cite, derived from Late Latin cīvitātem (“city”), in Classical Latin "citizenry", derived from cīvis (“fellow-citizen”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *ḱey- (“lie down; settle”). Cognate with Old English hīwan pl (“members of one's household, servants”). See hewe. Doublet of civitas. Mostly displaced native Old English burg, whence Modern English borough.