How Do You Spell CITY?

Pronunciation: [sˈɪti] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "city" can be a bit tricky for English language learners. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈsɪti/. This means that the word is pronounced with a short "i" sound (as in "sit") followed by a "t" and "ee" sound (as in "tea"). The "y" at the end of the word is pronounced as an "ee" sound. So, despite the unconventional spelling, the IPA transcription helps us understand the correct pronunciation of the word "city".

CITY Meaning and Definition

  1. A city is a large and densely populated human settlement, usually the most important and economically prosperous center of a region or country. It is characterized by a high concentration of people, buildings, infrastructure, and economic activity. Cities typically have well-defined boundaries that differentiate them from surrounding rural areas. They serve as hubs for commerce, administration, culture, and social interaction.

    Cities are diverse and dynamic, offering a wide range of opportunities for its inhabitants. They are often characterized by a mixture of residential, commercial, and industrial areas, as well as various public facilities like schools, hospitals, parks, and recreational spaces. Cities offer a higher standard of living in terms of access to employment, education, healthcare, entertainment, transportation, and cultural experiences.

    Urbanization, which refers to the increase in the proportion of a population living in cities, has been a prominent trend in human development over the past century. The growth of cities can be attributed to factors such as industrialization, technological advancements, and the desire for greater social and economic opportunities.

    The term "city" can also have legal, administrative, and geographical connotations. It may signify a formal political unit, such as a municipality, with its own governance and local regulations. Additionally, cities can be categorized according to their size, economic function, or historical significance.

    Overall, cities play a crucial role in shaping the social, cultural, political, and economic landscape of a society, serving as vibrant hubs of human activity and progress.

  2. • A corporate and cathedral town.
    • Pert. to a city.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for CITY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for CITY

Etymology of CITY

The word "city" originates from the Old French word "cite" (12th century) and the Latin word "civitas" (4th century BC) which means "citizenship" or "community of citizens". The Latin "civitas" is derived from "cives", meaning "citizen". It is believed that "civitas" ultimately comes from the Proto-Indo-European root word "kei" which translates to "lie" or "settlement". Overall, the term "city" has evolved over centuries, and its etymology reflects its association with the concept of community and citizenship.

Idioms with the word CITY

  • the City The idiom "the City" typically refers to the financial district or the main financial hub of a city, particularly in reference to London, United Kingdom. It is often used to describe the area where major financial institutions, banks, stock markets, and financial services companies are located.
  • fat city The idiom "fat city" refers to a situation or a state of being in a highly favorable or advantageous position, often implying wealth, success, or abundance.
  • go fight city hall The idiom "go fight city hall" means to engage in a seemingly impossible or futile fight against a powerful or well-established authority or institution. It typically implies the notion that going against such a force is an uphill battle with little chance of success.
  • sanctuary city A sanctuary city refers to a jurisdiction, typically a municipality or a city, that has adopted policies to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement authorities. These policies aim to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation and create a safe haven for them to reside without constant fear of being arrested or detained based on immigration status.
  • the Eternal City The idiom "the Eternal City" refers to Rome, Italy. It is a nickname that highlights Rome's historical and cultural significance, as well as its enduring influence throughout different periods of history. The term "eternal" conveys the idea that Rome possesses timeless qualities, an enduring legacy, and an unchanging, timeless beauty.
  • Barf City The idiom "Barf City" is an informal expression used to describe a situation or experience that is extremely unpleasant, disgusting, or nausea-inducing. It implies a strong feeling of disgust or revulsion, often in an exaggerated or hyperbolic manner.
  • You can’t fight city hall The idiom "You can’t fight city hall" means that it is virtually impossible for an individual to successfully challenge or oppose a powerful institution or bureaucracy, especially when they have the advantage of resources, influence, or authority. It implies the futility of attempting to contest or change a system that is firmly established and protected.
  • city slicker A city slicker refers to a person who is accustomed to or lives in a city environment, often implying that they are sophisticated, urbane, or lacking in practical knowledge and skills associated with rural or more natural settings.
  • the freedom of the city The idiom "the freedom of the city" refers to an honorary status or privilege bestowed upon an individual, granting them certain rights and privileges within a particular city. It historically originated in medieval times when cities were often walled for protection. The granting of the freedom of the city meant that individuals were exempt from certain taxes, tolls, or other restrictions and were provided with certain privileges such as voting rights or the ability to trade freely within the city. Nowadays, it is more symbolic and often given to notable figures, celebrities, or esteemed individuals to acknowledge their contributions to a city or community.
  • can't fight city hall The idiom "can't fight city hall" means that it is difficult or almost impossible to challenge or oppose a powerful or established institution, organization, or bureaucracy, especially one with government authority. It implies that attempting to resist or change the policies or decisions of such a powerful entity would be futile or ultimately unsuccessful.
  • cardboard city The idiom "cardboard city" refers to a temporary shelter or settlement, typically made of cardboard boxes, occupied by homeless people or individuals lacking permanent housing. It symbolizes the impoverished living conditions and lack of stability for those living in such makeshift dwellings.
  • (You) can't fight city hall. The idiom "(You) can't fight city hall" means that it is difficult or impossible to successfully challenge or oppose a powerful, established institution or authority. It implies that when attempting to contest the decisions, bureaucracy, or policies of a large government entity, organization, or system, it is futile because they possess greater power or influence.
  • Headstone City
  • Marble City
  • cement city The idiom "cement city" refers to a place or environment that is heavily industrialized, urbanized, or built up with concrete structures. It implies a lack of green spaces or natural elements, and a predominance of man-made construction.

Similar spelling words for CITY

Plural form of CITY is CITIES

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