adjective
Common
metropolitan
meht-ruh-PO-lih-tuhn
Metropolitan (adjective) means relating to a large city or its surrounding urban area. Example: “The metropolitan area has excellent train links, but the traffic is heavy.”
adjective
1
Relating to a large city or its surrounding urban area.
"The metropolitan area has excellent train links, but the traffic is heavy."
"The metropolitan police cover the whole greater city area."
"House prices are much higher in metropolitan areas."
noun
1
A senior bishop who oversees other bishops within a region.
"The metropolitan of the region visited the cathedral to bless the new bishop."
"As metropolitan, he was responsible for guiding the bishops in his province."
"The metropolitan presided over the ordination ceremony."
How to use metropolitan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with a big city and its surrounding area.
Common pairings
metropolitan area
metropolitan police
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Word forms
- Plural
- metropolitans
- Comparative
- more metropolitan
- Superlative
- most metropolitan
Fill the gap
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The _____ area has excellent train links, but the traffic is heavy.
Etymology
From Late Latin metropolitanus, from Greek mētropolitēs, ultimately from metropolis.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
non-metropolitan
Related words
Rhymes for metropolitan
See all rhymes for metropolitan →Frequently asked questions
What does “metropolitan” mean?
The word “metropolitan” means relating to a large city or its surrounding urban area. In plain terms, to do with a big city and its surrounding area.
How do you pronounce “metropolitan”?
“Metropolitan” is pronounced meht-ruh-PO-lih-tuhn (/ˌmɛtɹəˈpɑlɪtən/ in IPA).
How do you use “metropolitan” in a sentence?
Here is “metropolitan” used in a sentence: “The metropolitan police cover the whole greater city area.”
What is the opposite of “metropolitan”?
The opposite of “metropolitan” — its antonyms — is non-metropolitan.
What part of speech is “metropolitan”?
Depending on how it is used, “metropolitan” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “metropolitan” come from?
The word “metropolitan” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin metropolitanus, from Greek mētropolitēs, ultimately from metropolis.
Is “metropolitan” a common word?
“Metropolitan” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “metropolitan” have?
“Metropolitan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to a large city or its surrounding urban area.
What is the difference between "metropolitan" and "urban"?
"Metropolitan" relates to a large city together with its surrounding suburbs and towns, forming a wider region, while "urban" simply means relating to a city or town as opposed to the countryside. A metropolitan area can include both urban and suburban parts.
What is the difference between "metropolitan" and "cosmopolitan"?
"Metropolitan" describes something relating to a large city or its region, while "cosmopolitan" describes something or someone worldly, international, and made up of people from many cultures. A metropolitan area is defined by size; a cosmopolitan one by diversity.
What is a "metropolitan" in a church context?
In some Christian churches, a "metropolitan" is a senior bishop who oversees other bishops within a wider region or province. This use is a noun and is separate from the everyday adjective meaning "relating to a big city."
What are common words that go with "metropolitan"?
The adjective often pairs with "area," "police," "district," and "region," as in "metropolitan area" and "Metropolitan Police." These describe a large city and the territory around it.
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