cosmopolite

[koz-mop-uh-lahyt]

noun

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

2. an animal or plant of worldwide distribution.

cosmopolite

/ kɒzˈmɒpəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a less common word for cosmopolitan

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

Other Word Forms

• cosmopolitism noun
• noncosmopolite noun
• noncosmopolitism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cosmopolite¹

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.”

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“My father was killed in Russia. The war turned me into a cosmopolite and opponent of all nationalisms and all politics while just a schoolboy.”

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

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It favored rural Germans and targeted supposed forces of modernity: liberal media members, Jews, cosmopolites.

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

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Related Words

• inhabitant 
• national 
• resident 
• taxpayer