city
city — noun
1. a very big town with many homes, shops, offices, and places to work
a very big town with many homes, shops, offices, and places to work
Theo moved to a big city after finishing university to find a better job.
move to a/the + city for [purpose]
Aiko took the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka and spent the afternoon exploring Dotonbori's street-food stalls.
concrete scene: named person + specific city + specific action
Ravi moved to Berlin last year and still loves exploring the different shops and parks every weekend.
The city council approved a plan to build more bike lanes across the area.
Every morning thousands of people ride the train into the city for work.
- town
smaller than a city; less formal
- metropolis
a very large, important city; more formal and dramatic
- urban centre
neutral, descriptive term for any densely built-up area
- village
much smaller than a city
- countryside
the rural area outside cities
文法句型
the + city
in + a/the + city
a + adj + city
常見錯誤
2. a UK settlement that became a city because it has a bishop's cathedral, not beca
a UK settlement that became a city because it has a bishop's cathedral, not because it is large or got official city status recently
Chester is a historic cathedral city in northwest England with Roman walls.
Leila was surprised that Wells is called a city because it has a beautiful cathedral.
cathedral city as UK-specific concept — cathedral + defines + city status
Tourists spent the afternoon exploring the narrow streets of the cathedral city before visiting the medieval market.
Tourists visit Bath to see its Roman baths and explore the beautiful cathedral city.
- town
a smaller settlement, but in the UK 'town' can also be used informally for a city
文法句型
a/the + city + in + [UK location]
city + with + a cathedral
用法筆記
This sense is specific to the UK and Ireland. It refers to a traditional historical status linked to the presence of a cathedral, not to the modern size or population of the town. A settlement granted city status by a royal charter in the 20th century does not necessarily have a cathedral.
常見錯誤
3. the officials and departments that manage and make decisions for a city, includi
the officials and departments that manage and make decisions for a city, including elected members, the mayor, and administrative staff
The city voted to spend an extra two million dollars on public schools.
the city + collective verb (voted / decided / announced)
City officials announced a new recycling programme for all neighbourhoods.
The mayor represents the city at national conferences about housing policy.
In April the city sent workers to repair cracks in the pavement along Elm Street near the elementary school.
- municipality
formal legal term for a city's local government
- city council
the elected assembly that makes decisions for a city
- local government
broader term covering all levels of administration in a city
文法句型
the city + [singular/plural verb]
the city + [verb of decision or action]
用法筆記
Often used in news reports and official contexts. When 'the city' is the subject of a verb (e.g. 'the city decided', 'the city announced'), it treats the city government as a single decision-making body. The verb can be singular or plural depending on whether you see the government as a unit or as a group of people.
常見錯誤
4. the financial district in central London where major banks, insurance companies,
the financial district in central London where major banks, insurance companies, and stockbrokers are based; also the financial industry and its workers considered as a group
On Monday morning traders at Barclays on Lombard Street watched their screens as the London Stock Exchange opened.
traders in the City + watched + financial market opening
Yusuf, a currency analyst in the City, checked the FTSE 100 index before his morning coffee.
Leila works as a financial analyst in the City of London.
Amara walked past the Bank of England on Threadneedle Street to reach her new office in the City.
- the Square Mile
informal name for the City of London, referring to its small geographical area
- Wall Street
the US equivalent — the financial district in New York City
文法句型
the City (of London)
the City + [singular verb]
用法筆記
Almost always capitalised as 'the City' (or 'the City of London'). It is both the physical district (the Square Mile) and the financial institutions located there. Frequently used as a collective noun: 'The City expects...', 'The City reacted...'. This sense is distinct from the broader meaning of 'London' as a capital city.
常見錯誤
5. every resident of a particular city viewed collectively, especially when they sh
every resident of a particular city viewed collectively, especially when they share an emotion, reaction, or experience together
The whole city celebrated when the local team won the national championship.
the whole city + verb of collective emotion
When news of the earthquake reached the neighbourhood in Sendai, the whole city fell silent for a moment.
Nearly the entire city lost electricity during the powerful typhoon last night.
The city showed its support by clapping for hospital workers every evening.
- the population
more neutral and statistical
- the people
simpler and more direct
- the community
emphasises shared identity and belonging
文法句型
the whole/entire + city + [singular verb of emotion or action]
用法筆記
Used as a collective noun treating all residents as a single group with a unified feeling or action. Common with verbs of emotion (celebrated, mourned, was shocked, welcomed) and in news headlines. The pronoun for the city is usually 'it'/'its', not 'they'/'their'.
常見錯誤
6. a town officially granted city status by a government, which gives it special le
a town officially granted city status by a government, which gives it special legal powers under a charter
The small town applied to the state government for official city status.
apply for city status
When the population of Oakdale reached ten thousand in 2022, the town council began applying to become a city.
become + a city
Milton officially became a city in 2023 after years of campaigning by residents.
After the state granted city status to Oak Creek in 2023, residents lined up to vote in their first mayoral election.
- municipality
broader legal term for any incorporated town, city, or village
- incorporated area
formal US term for a place with its own local government
文法句型
become + a city
grant + city status
apply for + city status
用法筆記
More common in North American legal and administrative contexts than in everyday British conversation. The requirements for city status vary by country — in the US each state sets its own rules; in Canada the threshold is typically population-based; in the UK city status is granted by the monarch on advice of the government.