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Synonyms

urban

American  
[ur-buhn] / ˈɜr bən /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or designating a city or town.

    densely populated urban areas.

  2. living, located, or taking place in a city.

    urban rooftop gardening.

  3. characteristic of or accustomed to cities; citified.

    He’s an urban type—I can’t picture him enjoying a whole week at our cabin in the woods.

  4. of or relating to the experience, lifestyle, or culture of African Americans living in economically depressed inner-city neighborhoods.

    Their first album had a hard, urban vibe.

  5. Offensive. (used as a euphemism for Black or African American, rather than in reference to cities or their residents).

    a drug problem that particularly impacts the urban residents in this small town.


urban British  
/ ˈɜːbən /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a city or town

  2. living in a city or town

  3. (of music) emerging and developing in densely populated areas of large cities, esp those populated by people of African or Caribbean origin Compare rural

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • antiurban adjective
  • nonurban adjective
  • semiurban adjective
  • unurban adjective

Etymology

Origin of urban

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin urbānus, equivalent to urb- (stem of urbs ) “city” + -ānus adjective suffix; -an

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.

But for opponents they are an ugly, obstructive blight on Britain's urban landscape.

From BBC

This has brought in migrant workers from other regions, and also created an urban middle class which is more responsive to the reformist ideas of the progressive movement.

From BBC

Along Egypt's Mediterranean coast, the oldest tram in Africa and the Middle East rumbles for a final few weeks before its removal -- the latest urban upheaval Alexandrians say is hollowing out their city's identity.

From Barron's

His own gardens, located at homes in Connecticut and Berkeley, continue to be places of respite for Pollan, Marzorati says, “an antidote to urban life.”

From Los Angeles Times

Looking at you, Avengers Campus, a half-finished land with a bombastic orchestral score and familiar, urban design that wouldn’t be out of place in downtown L.A.

From Los Angeles Times