metropolis - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
metropolis Word Meanings
- a large city, often the most important one in a country or area
- the capital or chief city of a region
- a center of culture, commerce, and politics
metropolis Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
metropolis Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/məˈtrɒp.əl.ɪs/
US
/məˈtrɑː.pə.lɪs/
metropolis Word Etymology
metropolis = meter = mother + polis = city. Historical origin: Greek → Latin → English. Memory image: Imagine a vast city with a nurturing mother figure guiding its bustling streets, symbolizing a place where many people gather and thrive.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Metropolis is a noun that typically refers to a very large, important city—often the main hub for politics, culture, and commerce in a country or region. It goes beyond a generic city to imply scale, influence, and interconnected urban life. In everyday English, people might describe a city like New York or Tokyo as a metropolis, though informal terms like city, downtown, or capital may be more common in casual speech. The word can also appear in historical or literary contexts to evoke grandeur and modern bustle. Learners should distinguish metropolis from smaller towns and from words like metropolis-sized, metropolitan, or municipality.
Usage Reminders
- Use metropolis for a very large, important city, not a small town.
- It often implies political, cultural, or economic influence.
- Avoid using metropolis to mean any city; reserve it for major urban centers.
- Note the related adjective metropolitan and its noun forms.
- In literature, metropolis can evoke grandeur and bustle beyond a simple label.
Common Misconceptions
- Metropolis always means the capital city.
- All big cities are metropolises.
- Metropolis refers to the city government rather than the urban area.
- It is only used in formal writing.
- Metropolis and metropolitan are interchangeable in all contexts.
Thinking Differences
Metropolis is used by learners to convey scale and importance; avoid overgeneralizing to all big cities, which would feel odd to native speakers.
Learning Tips
- Read examples in contemporary journalism to see how metropolis is used in context
- Pair metropolis with metropolitan when talking about related topics
- Practice contrasting metropolis with city and capital to feel the nuance
- Use visuals or memory images to connect the term to a big, bustling city
- Note common collocations like metropolitan area vs metropolitan culture
- Create your own sentences about real-world metropolises to reinforce usage
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'metropolis'?
A.Mountain village
B.Large city
C.Small town
D.Island resort
Step 2: Usage
In which sentence is 'metropolis' used correctly?
A.The bustling metropolis was filled with skyscrapers.
B.He visited a small town for the weekend.
C.They hiked in a mountain village.
D.She lived in a remote island resort.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'metropolis'?
A.Hamlet
B.Village
C.Town
D.Megalopolis
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'metropolis'?
A.City
B.Urban center
C.Suburb
D.Rural area
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you expect to find a metropolis?
A.National park
B.Financial district
C.Farmland
D.Shopping mall
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