asphalt jungle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Literary, journalistic, figurative
Quick answer
What does “asphalt jungle” mean?
A large, dangerous, and anonymous modern city, especially one seen as a harsh environment where survival is difficult and crime is prevalent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, dangerous, and anonymous modern city, especially one seen as a harsh environment where survival is difficult and crime is prevalent.
Any complex, competitive, and ruthless urban environment, often used metaphorically to describe corporate settings or other arenas characterized by intense, Darwinian struggle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood and used in both varieties, but it originated in and is more strongly associated with American discourse, reflecting the post-war growth of US cities. The UK might more readily associate it with film noir and American cultural exports.
Connotations
Identical in core meaning; evokes mid-20th century urban decay, film noir, and social critique in both cultures.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, but remains a relatively low-frequency, stylized term in both.
Grammar
How to Use “asphalt jungle” in a Sentence
[live/survive/thrive] in the asphalt junglethe asphalt jungle of [city name/industry]transform into an asphalt jungleVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The corporate asphalt jungle demands sharp elbows and a thick skin.'
Academic
Rare; might appear in sociology, urban studies, or cultural criticism texts discussing urban alienation or cinematic tropes.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Used for dramatic or humorous effect: 'Trying to find a parking spot in central London? Welcome to the asphalt jungle.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “asphalt jungle”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “asphalt jungle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “asphalt jungle”
- Using it to describe literal jungles or forests. *'The Amazon is an asphalt jungle.' (Incorrect)
- Treating 'asphalt' and 'jungle' as separate modifiers. *'It was an asphalt, dangerous jungle.' (Incorrect)
- Capitalising it as a proper noun unless it's a title (e.g., the film 'The Asphalt Jungle').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a literary and figurative term. It's recognised but not commonly used in daily conversation. More casual equivalents are 'big city' or 'concrete jungle'.
They are virtually synonymous. 'Asphalt jungle' slightly emphasises the streets and roads, while 'concrete jungle' emphasises the buildings. 'Asphalt Jungle' is also famously the title of a 1950 film noir.
Extremely rarely. Its inherent meaning is critical and negative. Using it positively would likely be ironic or sarcastic (e.g., 'He thrives in the asphalt jungle').
For B2 and above, it's a good example of an advanced, fixed metaphorical expression. It can demonstrate a rich vocabulary in writing or speaking about urban life, society, or challenges.
A large, dangerous, and anonymous modern city, especially one seen as a harsh environment where survival is difficult and crime is prevalent.
Asphalt jungle is usually literary, journalistic, figurative in register.
Asphalt jungle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæsfælt ˈdʒʌŋɡl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæsfɔːlt ˈdʒʌŋɡl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a jungle out there (related, more general)”
- “Law of the jungle (applied to an urban context)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a **jungle**, but instead of trees and vines, it's made of **asphalt** roads and concrete buildings, where the 'predators' are criminals and the struggle is for survival in the city.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CITY IS A JUNGLE (a dangerous, natural ecosystem where only the fittest survive).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'asphalt jungle'?