town
town — noun
1. A populated area with homes, businesses, schools, and public buildings that serv
A populated area with homes, businesses, schools, and public buildings that serves as a local centre for the surrounding region.
Minh grew up in a small farming town in the central valley.
countable: a + [adjective] + town
The nearest town is about ten kilometres down the highway.
Omar moved to a larger town when he got a job at the factory.
There are three schools and two supermarkets in our town.
Sana's hometown is a busy port town on the southern coast.
- village
smaller than a town, often with fewer services; in British English, a village usually does not have a market.
- city
larger and more important than a town; often the seat of a regional government.
- settlement
a general, more formal term for any place where people live; can apply to a camp or a hamlet as well.
- countryside
rural land outside towns and villages, where few people live.
文法句型
a + town
常見錯誤
2. The zone within a settlement that contains its main concentration of shops and o
The zone within a settlement that contains its main concentration of shops and office buildings.
Jisoo went into town to buy groceries and pick up a parcel.
phrase: go into town
The new cinema in town is showing four films this weekend.
phrase: in town
Felipe works at a bookstore in the middle of town.
Imani left the office early and headed straight to town for a haircut.
The shops in town stay open until nine o'clock on Fridays.
- downtown
the same meaning, but standard in American English and usually written as one word.
- city centre
used for larger urban areas; the equivalent zone in a city.
- suburbs
the residential areas on the edge of a town or city, away from the commercial core.
文法句型
in town
to town
down town
用法筆記
This sense is uncountable and usually used without an article (e.g., 'in town', 'to town', 'out of town'). In American English, the equivalent phrase is 'downtown'.
常見錯誤
3. A town that functions as the political, economic, or cultural hub of a particula
A town that functions as the political, economic, or cultural hub of a particular area or nation.
Christopher spent the weekend in the main town of the region, visiting museums and galleries.
pattern: the main town of [region]
The capital is not always the largest town in a country, but it is the political centre.
Ilan took the train to the principal town of the island for the conference.
Every province has a chief town where the government offices are located.
- capital
specifically the seat of government of a country or state; narrower than 'main town'.
- metropolis
a very large, important city, usually with strong cultural or economic influence; more formal.
- principal town
a more formal synonym for the most important town in a region.
文法句型
the + [adjective] + town of + [place]
用法筆記
Often used with 'the' and a following 'of' phrase, e.g., 'the main town of the region'. In some contexts 'chief town' or 'principal town' may be used more formally.
4. The town in which someone currently resides, carries out their daily activities,
The town in which someone currently resides, carries out their daily activities, or is staying.
Kasia has been out of town all week for a training course in Taipei.
phrase: out of town
Tariro called to say she would be in town for just two days.
phrase: be in town
The manager left town early on Friday to visit her family.
When the salesman is in town, he always stays at the same hotel near the station.
My brother is new in town and still finding his way around the neighbourhood.
文法句型
out of town
leave town
be in town
用法筆記
In this sense 'town' is usually used without 'the' — 'in town', 'out of town', 'leave town'. Adding 'the' (e.g., 'in the town') shifts the meaning toward the physical settlement (Sense 1).
常見錯誤
5. The residents of a town considered as a collective body that shares reactions, o
The residents of a town considered as a collective body that shares reactions, opinions, or decisions.
The whole town turned out to watch the New Year fireworks display.
collective: the whole town [verb]
The town was shocked to learn that the old library would be closing down.
passive: the town was [emotion]
Everyone in town helped raise money for the new playground.
The town voted overwhelmingly to protect the park from development.
- community
a broader term that can refer to a group living in any area, not just a town; emphasises shared bonds.
- residents
literal plural; less collective in feel than 'the town'.
- townspeople
slightly old-fashioned but clear; specifically refers to the inhabitants of a town.
文法句型
the whole town
the town + [singular verb]
用法筆記
Used as a collective singular: 'the town has decided', 'the town is celebrating'. The verb is singular even though the referent is many people.
常見錯誤
6. The experience of living in a built-up urban area, seen as a lifestyle that cont
The experience of living in a built-up urban area, seen as a lifestyle that contrasts with rural life.
Samir prefers town life because everything is close and convenient.
modifier: town life
After twenty years on the farm, Aunt Rosa found town living too noisy.
Many young people leave the countryside and move to town for better jobs.
Town dwellers often miss the peace and quiet of the countryside.
Mei-Lin's rent in town costs twice what her cousin pays for a flat in the countryside.
- city life
essentially the same meaning but often implies a larger, busier urban environment.
- urban life
more formal; used in sociological or planning contexts.
- country life
rural living, usually with farms and more open space.
- rural life
formal equivalent of 'country life'.
文法句型
town + noun (as modifier)
用法筆記
Typically used without the definite article ('town life', 'town living'). Adding 'the' shifts the meaning to a specific settlement (Sense 1). Often contrasted with 'country' or 'countryside' in set phrases like 'town and country'.