Word of the Day - 09/16/26
cosmopolitan
/,kɑzmə'pɑlɪtən/(n.): having wide international sophistications
Having lived in Paris, Tokyo, and New York, she was a true cosmopolitan, sophisticated and at ease in any city.
(adj.): of worldwide scope or applicability (as opposed to provincial)
The organization takes a cosmopolitan approach, addressing issues that affect people around the world rather than focusing only on local concerns.
(adj.): composed of people from or at home in many parts of the world
New York is a cosmopolitan city, with communities representing cultures from across the globe.
(adj.): growing or occurring in many parts of the world
With its ability to adapt to diverse climates, the common houseplant has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Word Origin
The word 'cosmopolitan' originates from the Greek word 'kosmopolitēs', meaning 'citizen of the world'. It is formed from 'kosmos' (κόσμος), meaning 'world' or 'universe', and 'politēs' (πολίτης), meaning 'citizen' (derived from 'polis', meaning 'city'). The term passed into Latin as 'cosmopolites' and then into French before entering English. It literally means 'citizen of the world'.
Words with similar origins to 'kosmos' include 'cosmos', 'cosmic', 'cosmology', and 'cosmetic'. Words related to 'polis' include 'politics', 'police', 'policy', 'metropolis', and 'acropolis'.