What does "metropolis" mean?
The mother (founding) polis (city state) of a colony.
Metropolis
/mɪˈtɹɒp.ə.lɪs/ name, noun
name, noun ·Very common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The mother (founding) polis (city state) of a colony.
- Grammar: metropolis is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: city, urban center, abilene, adelaide.
- Useful contrasts: peripheral town, remote village, vast countryside.
- Usage evidence: A recent survey reveals that the population density in the metropolis is decreasing.
How to use "metropolis"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "metropolis" 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 "metropolis" 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 "metropolis" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "metropolis" 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 "metropolis" is acting as name, noun 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 "city" 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 "metropolis", 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 The mother (founding) polis (city state) of a colony.
"Colonies certainly did not become "clones" of their metropolises, but it is equally false that their colonial heritages were not influenced by the organization of the metropolises."
- 2 people living in a large densely populated municipality wordnet
- 3 A large, busy city, especially as the main city in an area or country or as distinguished from surrounding rural areas.
"Holonym: metropolitan area"
- 4 a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts wordnet
- 5 The see of a metropolitan bishop, ranking above its suffragan diocesan bishops.
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A generic focus in the distribution of plants or animals.
Proper Noun
- 1 A city, the county seat of Massac County, Illinois, United States.
- 2 Nickname for London: the capital city of the United Kingdom; the capital city of England, within Greater London. England, dated
"The journey from our town to the metropolis, was a journey of about five hours."
- 3 A ghost town in Elko County, Nevada, United States.
- 4 A classical city site in Anatolia (Turkey).
- 5 A fictional city serving as the primary setting for the Superman franchise, published by DC Comics.
"My city need a hero, so I treat it like Metropolis / And it's a few bad Lois Lanes I can't name"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Nickname for New York City: a major city in New York, United States.
Antonyms
Example
"A recent survey reveals that the population density in the metropolis is decreasing."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "metropolis"?
Common synonyms include: city, urban center, abilene, adelaide, agra, akron.
How do you use "metropolis" in a sentence?
A recent survey reveals that the population density in the metropolis is decreasing.
How do you pronounce "metropolis"?
Pronounced /mɪˈtɹɒp.ə.lɪs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Borrowed from Late Latin mētropolis, from Ancient Greek μητρόπολις (mētrópolis, “mother city”), from μήτηρ (mḗtēr, “mother”) + πόλις (pólis, “city (state)”). By surface analysis, metro- + -polis. Doublet of metropole.
Etymology 2
See English metropolis.