cosmopolite

American  

[koz-mop-uh-lahyt] / kɒzˈmɒp əˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a person who is cosmopolitan in their ideas, life, etc.; citizen of the world.

2. an animal or plant of worldwide distribution.

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cosmopolite British  

/ kɒzˈmɒpəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a less common word for cosmopolitan

2. an animal or plant that occurs in most parts of the world

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Other Word Forms

• cosmopolitism noun
• noncosmopolite noun
• noncosmopolitism noun

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 )

Example Sentences

“I became a chutney cosmopolite,” he wrote, “and a raconteur of relish recipes.”

From Salon

The last year, however, has thrown even cosmopolites back on small areas and local attachments.

From Washington Post

In one scene, the function of food as a status symbol for globe-trotting cosmopolites becomes clear.

From New York Times

“I didn’t take kindly to him monsieuring me,” Lincoln thinks of a cosmopolite’s greeting.

From The New Yorker

Longtime cosmopolites often stop paying attention to the cityscapes around them; inured to their surroundings, they don’t bother to look up.

From New York Times

Related Words

• inhabitant
• national
• resident
• taxpayer