cosmopolis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal
Quick answer
What does “cosmopolis” mean?
A city inhabited by people from many different countries and cultures.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A city inhabited by people from many different countries and cultures.
A large, culturally diverse urban centre considered as a hub of international activity and influence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage difference.
Connotations
Often used with a slightly more historical or literary tone in UK contexts.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both dialects; used primarily in academic, journalistic, or literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cosmopolis” in a Sentence
[proper noun] is a cosmopolisthe cosmopolis of [place name]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports about global markets and talent attraction, e.g., 'Our strategy targets key cosmopolises for expansion.'
Academic
Used in urban studies, sociology, and history to describe cities like ancient Alexandria or modern London.
Everyday
Very rarely used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in urban planning and cultural studies to denote a specific type of urban agglomeration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cosmopolis”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cosmopolis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cosmopolis”
- Confusing it with 'cosmopolitan' (adj/n).
- Using it for any large city without a truly international character.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'metropolis' is simply a very large and important city. A 'cosmopolis' is specifically a metropolis characterized by significant cultural diversity and international influence.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word primarily used in academic, historical, or literary contexts.
Yes, cities like New York, London, Singapore, and Dubai are often cited as modern examples of cosmopolises.
It is exclusively a noun.
A city inhabited by people from many different countries and cultures.
Cosmopolis is usually formal in register.
Cosmopolis: in British English it is pronounced /kɒzˈmɒp.əl.ɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɑːzˈmɑː.pəl.ɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
COSMO (universe) + POLIS (city) = a city of the world.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CITY IS A WORLD. The diverse city is conceptualized as a microcosm of the entire globe.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the BEST definition of 'cosmopolis'?