Word
town
Phoneticstown
US/ˈtaʊn/
UK/tˈaʊn/
Definitions
01a settlement
n. a place with houses, shops, and offices that is bigger than a village.
n. a populated area with fixed boundaries and a local government, typically larger than a rural village.
“We went into town to buy some new clothes for the party.”
“The small market town has seen significant growth over the last decade as more people move away from the expensive city centre.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02central shopping area
n. the central part of a town where the main shops and businesses are.
n. the central business or commercial district of a settlement, often used without an article.
“I'll be in town all afternoon if you want to meet for coffee.”
“Most of the local residents prefer to shop in town rather than driving to the large retail parks on the outskirts.”
Usage
Often used without 'the' in phrases like 'go to town' or 'in town'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03local residents
n. the people who live in a town, rather than students at a nearby university.
n. the permanent residents of a community, specifically in contrast to a university population.
“There is sometimes tension between the town and the university students.”
“The mayor is working hard to improve relations between the town and the growing student population.”
Informal
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'town and gown' to describe relations between a city and its university.
Antonyms
04London
n. a name used by people in the UK to mean London, especially the centre.
n. a specific reference to London, particularly the central commercial and social districts.
“He spends the week in town for work and goes home to the country on weekends.”
“For those living in the home counties, a night out in town usually involves catching the last train from Waterloo.”
British English
Synonyms
05legal entity
n. a local government organization that runs a specific area.
n. a municipal corporation or legal body defined by law to govern a specific territory.
“The town voted to increase funding for the local library.”
“The town brought a legal injunction against the developer for violating local zoning ordinances.”
Formal · Technical
Synonyms
Collocations
Word family
Idioms
big end of town — The top end of town.
blow town — To suddenly leave one's residence.
company town — A town, city, or other municipality in which a single large business has a controlling influence over the economy and, sometimes, over the societal structure and the local government.
go to town — To proceed enthusiastically, vigorously, or expertly.
go to town on — To devour or consume (something); to enthusiastically or assiduously work on (something); to tear into (something).
man about town — A worldly, social man who frequents fashionable places.
new kid in town — Synonym of new kid on the block.
one-horse town — A very small town, especially one of a rural nature and offering very few or no attractions.
only game in town — The only opportunity, activity, or resource available.
paint the town red — To party or celebrate in a rowdy, wild manner, especially in a public place.
Show all 16
run out of town — To force someone out of a place or a position.
take someone to brown town — To have anal sex with someone.
there is a new sheriff in town — A new individual has come to power and will be making changes.
toast of the town — A person, male or female, who is admired and very popular in local society, and who is sought after to attend parties, public events, etc.
top end of town — The affluent part of a community.
town and gown — On the one hand, the members of the city, borough, or similar community near a university and, on the other hand, the students and faculty of the university itself, especially when understood as rivals in a state of tension or conflict.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/town