metro
Metro (noun) means an underground or urban rapid-transit railway system, or a train belonging to one. Example: “We took the metro to get across the city quickly.”
How to use metro
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA city's subway/underground train system, or the wider urban area around a city.
Word forms
more metro comparative, metros plural, metros plural, most metro superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We took the _____ to get across the city quickly.
Etymology
From French métro, a clipping of métropolitain, originally referring to the Paris subway system — itself named after London's early "Metropolitan Railway".
Related words
Rhymes for metro
See all rhymes for metro →Frequently asked questions
What does “metro” mean?
The word “metro” means an underground or urban rapid-transit railway system, or a train belonging to one. In plain terms, a city's subway/underground train system, or the wider urban area around a city.
How do you pronounce “metro”?
“Metro” is pronounced MEHT-roh (/ˈmɛtɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “metro” in a sentence?
Here is “metro” used in a sentence: “We took the metro to get across the city quickly.”
What part of speech is “metro”?
“Metro” is a noun.
Where does the word “metro” come from?
The word “metro” comes from French. From French métro, a clipping of métropolitain, originally referring to the Paris subway system — itself named after London's early "Metropolitan Railway".
Is “metro” a common word?
“Metro” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “metro” have?
“Metro” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an underground or urban rapid-transit railway system, or a train belonging to one.
What is the difference between the "metro," the "subway," and the "underground"?
All three name an urban rapid-transit railway, but the term varies by city: "metro" is common in Paris, Washington, and many European systems, "subway" is used in New York, and "underground" (or "the Tube") in London. They describe the same kind of system.
What is the difference between "metro" and "metropolitan"?
"Metro" is a shortened form used mainly for a rapid-transit railway or, more loosely, a large metropolitan area, while "metropolitan" is the full adjective meaning relating to a big city. "Metro" is more casual and often a noun; "metropolitan" is formal and usually an adjective.
When is "metro" used to mean a city area rather than a train?
"Metro" often means a large metropolitan area, especially in American English phrases such as "the Atlanta metro" or "metro area." Context, such as reference to population or a region, signals this meaning rather than the railway one.
What are common words that go with "metro"?
"Metro" pairs with "station" and "line" for the railway sense, and with "area" or a city name (the "metro area," "greater metro") for the city-region sense.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include metro: