WordGarden.iosuburbanite
C2Pronunciation
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- /səˈbɜrbəˌnaɪt/
Meanings
Noun
a person who lives in a suburb
Beyond the definition
Imagine life a little away from the skyscrapers and crowded streets. That is often where you find a suburbanite. The word means someone who lives in the suburbs, the residential areas around a city. It mainly describes where a person lives, though people may also connect it with a quieter home life, nearby schools, and sometimes a commute into the city.
In the past, "suburbanite" sometimes brought to mind a narrow stereotype of someone conventional and family-focused. But that picture is limited. Today's suburbanites are very diverse. They may be young professionals, retirees, artists, families, or anyone else living in suburban areas. You will often hear the word when people compare suburban life with city life: "He traded the fast pace of the city for a quieter life as a suburbanite."
A "suburbanite" is someone who lives in a suburb, a residential area on the edge of or just outside a city. At its core, the word is about place of residence. In some contexts, it may also suggest the kind of daily life people often connect with suburban areas.
The rise of the suburbanite in the 20th century was closely tied to the growth of car culture, which made it easier for people to live farther from their workplaces while still keeping access to city services and attractions. This helped shape communities with houses, schools, parks, and shopping areas, a setting often linked to the "American Dream."
Historically, the term sometimes carried suggestions of conformity or of being less worldly than city dwellers. However, that view has changed a great deal. Today's suburbs are diverse in population, housing, and local culture. You can find arts communities, small businesses, and residents with many different backgrounds and interests.
The word is frequently used in contrast to "city dweller" or "urbanite." For example: "After years as a busy city dweller, she embraced the slower pace of life as a suburbanite." It can also be used in discussions of social or housing trends: "More young professionals are becoming suburbanites, changing the character of outlying areas." In the end, the word mainly tells you where someone lives, but it also carries some history and cultural meaning shaped by changing patterns of modern life.
Examples
- 1
Personal background
As a lifelong suburbanite, she still gets nervous driving in downtown traffic.
- 2
Commuting
Many suburbanites commute to the city during the week and spend weekends at home with their families.
- 3
City preference
He grew up a suburbanite but now prefers the noise and convenience of city life.
- 4
Social satire
The movie pokes fun at wealthy suburbanites who care more about their lawns than their neighbors.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Election
In close elections, both parties work hard to win over suburbanites.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- suburbanitenoun