What does "philadelphia" mean?
The largest city in Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of coterminous Philadelphia County; the former capital of the United States.
Philadelphia
/fɪləˈdɛlfi.ə/ name
name ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The largest city in Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of coterminous Philadelphia County; the former capital of the United States.
- Grammar: philadelphia is listed as name.
- Nearest alternatives: brand, city, geographic, label.
- Useful contrasts: countryside, distant, foreign.
- Usage evidence: She is a famous Philadelphia lawmaker.
How to use "philadelphia"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "philadelphia" 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 "philadelphia" 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 "philadelphia" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "philadelphia" 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 "philadelphia" is acting as name 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 "brand" 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 "philadelphia", 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
Proper Noun
- 1 The largest city in Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of coterminous Philadelphia County; the former capital of the United States.
"Philadelphia police said they were investigating. No charges were immediately filed."
- 2 Former name of Amman: the capital of Jordan. historical
- 3 Former name of Alaşehir: a city, municipality, and district of Manisa Province, Turkey. historical
- 4 A locale in the United States; named for the city in Pennsylvania.; An unincorporated community in Cass County, Illinois.
- 5 A locale in the United States; named for the city in Pennsylvania.; An unincorporated community in Sugar Creek Township, Hancock County, Indiana.
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 A locale in the United States; named for the city in Pennsylvania.; A city, the county seat of Neshoba County, Mississippi.
- 7 A locale in the United States; named for the city in Pennsylvania.; A town and village in Jefferson County, New York.
- 8 A locale in the United States; named for the city in Pennsylvania.; A small city in Loudon County, Tennessee.
- 9 A village in Brandenburg, Germany; named for the city in Pennsylvania.
- 10 A village in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England; named for the city in Pennsylvania (OS grid ref NZ3352).
- 11 A suburb of Cape Town, South Africa.
Antonyms
Example
"She is a famous Philadelphia lawmaker."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "philadelphia"?
Common synonyms include: brand, city, geographic, label, local, metropolis.
How do you use "philadelphia" in a sentence?
She is a famous Philadelphia lawmaker.
How do you pronounce "philadelphia"?
Pronounced /fɪləˈdɛlfi.ə/.
Etymology
From Latin Philadelphia, from Ancient Greek Φιλαδέλφεια (Philadélpheia), from φιλάδελφος (philádelphos, “brother/sibling-loving”) + -εια (-eia, “-ia: forming placenames”), from the combining form of φῐλέειν (phĭléein, “to love”) + ἀδελφός (adelphós, “brother, sibling”). In reference to the city in Turkey, named for the loyal Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamon. In reference to the city in Jordan, named for the incestuous Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt. In reference to the American city, named for the ancient towns as well as the Quaker William Penn's aim of fostering religious tolerance. Doublet of Filadelfia.