What does "yimby" mean?
Someone who endorses development (especially the construction of more housing) near them.
Yimby
/ˈjɪmbi/ adj, noun, phrase
adj, noun, phrase ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Someone who endorses development (especially the construction of more housing) near them.
- Grammar: yimby is listed as adj, noun, phrase.
- Useful contrasts: nimby.
- Usage evidence: YIMBY encompasses home composting, "grass cycling" and landscape alteration.
How to use "yimby"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "yimby" 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
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- 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 "yimby" 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
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "yimby" is acting as adj, noun, phrase in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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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 Someone who endorses development (especially the construction of more housing) near them.
"The local YIMBYs came out in favor of the project."
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of YIMBY. alt-of
"Calling themselves yimbys, they are standing up to say “Yes, in my back yard” to any kind of new housing development. […] “Often the only voices we would hear would be neighbours who were opposed,” said Chiu, who called on yimby support to get affordable housing measures through the legislature this year. […] It also riles opponents of gentrification that yimbys often lobby on projects far from their home turf."
Adjective
- 1 Supporting nearby development (especially the construction of more housing).
"From a YIMBY perspective, the high-rises are good for the city."
Phrase
- 1 Acronym of yes, in my backyard. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
"YIMBY encompasses home composting, "grass cycling" and landscape alteration."
- 2 Acronym of yes, in many backyards. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
"YIMBY does not promise to eliminate risk; it simply spreads it among all those involved. Yesterday, we reiterated several times that equity is critical to any solution, and in this regard YIMBY provides a practical and equitable standard"
Antonyms
Example
"YIMBY encompasses home composting, "grass cycling" and landscape alteration."
Common questions
How do you use "yimby" in a sentence?
YIMBY encompasses home composting, "grass cycling" and landscape alteration.
How do you pronounce "yimby"?
Pronounced /ˈjɪmbi/.
Etymology
Coined as an antonym for nimby.