English Reference
adjective · noun

cosmopolitan

adj. · n.
US /ˌkɑzməˈpɑɫətən/ UK /kˌɒzməpˈɒlɪtən/ cos·mopoli·tan UK spelling cosmopolitans

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.having people from many different parts of the world.

    adj.composed of people, constituents, or elements from many different countries or cultures.

    Simple

    London is a very cosmopolitan city where you can hear dozens of languages every day.

    In context

    The port city developed a cosmopolitan atmosphere as merchants from across the Mediterranean settled there to trade goods and ideas.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.feeling comfortable in many different countries and knowing a lot about different cultures.

    adj.having a wide and sophisticated experience of many different countries and cultures; not limited by local or national prejudices.

    Simple

    She has a cosmopolitan outlook on life because she grew up in four different countries.

    In context

    His cosmopolitan manners and fluency in several languages made him an ideal candidate for the diplomatic service.

    narrow mindedparochial
  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    adj.found in most parts of the world.

    adj.having a distribution that spans most of the world's continents or oceans.

    Simple

    The housefly is a cosmopolitan insect found on every continent except Antarctica.

    In context

    Certain species of phytoplankton are truly cosmopolitan, thriving in diverse marine environments across both hemispheres.

    Usage

    In biology, this describes a species rather than a person or city.

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate Informal

    n.a pink alcoholic drink made with vodka, cranberry juice, and lime.

    n.a cocktail typically consisting of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed or sweetened lime juice.

    Simple

    She ordered a cosmopolitan at the bar while waiting for her friends to arrive.

    In context

    The bartender garnished the cosmopolitan with a twist of orange peel before sliding it across the polished counter.

    Teacher's tip

    Often shortened to 'cosmo' in casual conversation.

For Ghalib, Delhi was a cosmopolitan city where Hindus, Muslims and the British lived and worked side by side.

The Conversation· 18 Aug 2026

For example, common genetic variants associated with openness to experience were linked to a greater likelihood that someone would move to a more cosmopolitan neighborhood.

ScienceDaily· 8 Sept 2026

From cosmopolit(e) + -an. Compare metropolitan and megalopolitan.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated