cityscape: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, descriptive, artistic
Quick answer
What does “cityscape” mean?
A view or image of a city, especially its skyline and buildings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A view or image of a city, especially its skyline and buildings.
The visual appearance and overall aesthetic of a city as a unified scene; often used metaphorically to describe the urban environment or social fabric.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Both varieties share connotations of urban aesthetics, photography, painting, and urban planning.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in written, descriptive contexts (travel, art, architecture) than in everyday speech in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “cityscape” in a Sentence
[adj] cityscapecityscape of [place]cityscape [verb] by [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cityscape” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form]
American English
- [No adverb form]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective form; attributive use only, e.g., cityscape photography]
American English
- [No standard adjective form; attributive use only, e.g., cityscape painting]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in real estate, tourism, and urban development marketing (e.g., 'The project will alter the cityscape').
Academic
Common in urban studies, architecture, human geography, and art history.
Everyday
Used when describing a view, especially from a high vantage point or in photography.
Technical
Specific term in photography ('cityscape photography' vs. 'landscape photography') and urban planning.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cityscape”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cityscape”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cityscape”
- Misspelling as 'cityscape' (one word is standard).
- Using it to refer to a single building (it refers to the collective view).
- Confusing with 'skyline' (a skyline is the silhouette of buildings against the sky, a key part of a cityscape).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word: 'cityscape'.
A 'skyline' is specifically the outline of buildings against the sky. A 'cityscape' is a broader view of the city, which includes the skyline but also streets, parks, and the general urban scene.
It is possible but less common. 'Townscape' is often preferred for smaller urban areas, while 'cityscape' typically implies a larger, denser metropolis.
It is more formal and descriptive than casual. In everyday conversation, people might simply say 'view of the city'.
A view or image of a city, especially its skyline and buildings.
Cityscape: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪtɪskeɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪtɪskeɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for 'cityscape'; it is used literally]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CITY + landSCAPE. Just as a 'landscape' is a view of the land, a 'cityscape' is a view of a city.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CITY IS A CANVAS / PAINTING (e.g., 'The lights painted the cityscape').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of a 'cityscape'?