noun
Burg
burg
Burg (noun) means an informal word for a city or town. Example: “It's a friendly little burg with one main street.”
noun
1
An informal word for a city or town.
"It's been said that Wilder modeled that fictional setting on Peterborough, a quaint burg tucked away in New Hampshire's verdant southwestern hills."
— , Big Style on a (Little) Budget (2010)
"Imagine my surprise when I learned that he was not only a Canadian but lived in Ottawa, that icy burg I had left so many kilometers -- sorry, miles -- behind me."
— David Thriault, This Way In: The Sound and the Fury (2009)
"It's a friendly little burg with one main street."
"Tell mother that I will write her in a day or two, probably from Chicago, as I have always had an idea that that was one burg where I could make good."
— Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Efficiency Expert (1921)
How to use Burg
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual way to refer to a town or city.
When to use it
Informal, often used humorously.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Burgs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It's a friendly little _____ with one main street.
Etymology
From the same Germanic root as "borough" and "-burg" place names such as Hamburg, meaning a fortified town.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Burg” mean?
The word “Burg” means an informal word for a city or town. In plain terms, a casual way to refer to a town or city.
How do you pronounce “Burg”?
“Burg” is pronounced burg (/bɝɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Burg” in a sentence?
Here is “Burg” used in a sentence: “It's a friendly little burg with one main street.”
What part of speech is “Burg”?
“Burg” is a noun.
Where does the word “Burg” come from?
The word “Burg” comes from Germanic. From the same Germanic root as "borough" and "-burg" place names such as Hamburg, meaning a fortified town.
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