townspeople
townspeople — noun
1. the residents of a specific town, thought of and referred to as a single communi
the residents of a specific town, thought of and referred to as a single community or body of people, especially when decisions or events affect that town directly.
The townspeople gathered in the square to hear the mayor announce the new library plans.
the townspeople + collective action verb
When the textile mill shut down, many townspeople lost their only source of income.
townspeople affected by a local event
The museum was built with money raised by the townspeople themselves over five years.
All the townspeople were invited to vote on whether to turn the old school into a health clinic.
Mrs. Chen, a retired teacher, was one of the few townspeople who spoke against selling the park.
- inhabitants
more general term for people or animals living in any place; less community-flavoured than townspeople
- residents
focuses on where people live rather than their role in local life
- locals
informal and warmer; suggests familiarity with the area and its culture
- community
emphasises shared identity and mutual ties among the people
文法句型
the townspeople + plural verb
用法筆記
Always used with a plural verb. There is no commonly accepted singular form ('townsperson' is rare and may be considered awkward). To refer to one individual, use 'a resident of the town' or 'a local.'
常見錯誤
2. people whose home is in a town or city, thought of as a social group that is dif
people whose home is in a town or city, thought of as a social group that is different from people living in the countryside or on farms.
In the early 1900s, townspeople generally had better access to schools and hospitals than rural families did.
townspeople vs. rural families contrast
The novel contrasts the quiet life of country folk with the busier, more hurried existence of townspeople.
Manchester townspeople, like weaver Thomas Briggs, could buy tea and sugar that farmers rarely could.
Census records show that the number of townspeople grew rapidly as young adults left farming communities for factory work.
Unlike villages, towns offered townspeople more chances to trade goods and learn new skills from visiting merchants.
- town-dwellers
more literal; used in formal or academic contexts
- urbanites
slightly informal; suggests a modern, city lifestyle
- city folk
informal and somewhat old-fashioned; often used in rural speech
- country people
people who live in the countryside or rural areas
- villagers
people who live in small villages, typically closer to rural life
- rural folk
informal term for people living in farming or remote areas
文法句型
townspeople (as a social category)
用法筆記
This sense describes a broad social or historical category rather than the residents of one specific place. It is most common in formal writing, historical analysis, or sociological discussion where town-versus-country comparisons are drawn.