cosmopolite
Americannoun
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a person who is cosmopolitan in their ideas, life, etc.; citizen of the world.
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an animal or plant of worldwide distribution.
noun
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a less common word for cosmopolitan
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an animal or plant that occurs in most parts of the world
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cosmopolite
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Greek kosmopolī́tēs “citizen of the world,” equivalent to kosmo- cosmo- + polī́tēs “citizen” ( pól(is) “a city, state” + -ītēs -ite 1 )
Vocabulary lists containing cosmopolite
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The cosmopolite respects and appreciates difference, while acknowledging that “no local loyalty can ever justify forgetting that each human being has responsibilities to every other.”
From Slate ● Sep. 14, 2018
In an era when university art departments, like museums, tended to be divided into fiefs, each controlled by a specialist, Mr. Rosand, a genuine cosmopolite, walked a broad terrain.
From New York Times ● Aug. 28, 2014
"No one," said Johnson, "has done more to help us work with our economy" than Leslie T. Hope, 64, a wealthy, California-based cosmopolite whose unpaid avocation is promoting U.S.
From Time Magazine Archive
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A Californian by birth, a Frenchman by education, a cosmopolite by diplomatic service, Mr. Gibson was last week the guest of President Hoover at the White House.
From Time Magazine Archive
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Seddon shook hands with the distinguished cosmopolite, and remarked that the weather was extremely hot.
From The Funny Philosophers Wags and Sweethearts by George Yellott
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.