town
a thickly populated area, usually smaller than a city and larger than a village, having fixed boundaries and certain local powers of government.
a densely populated area of considerable size, as a city or borough.
(especially in New England) a municipal corporation with less elaborate organization and powers than a city.
(in most U.S. states except those of New England) a township.
any urban area, as contrasted with its surrounding countryside.
the inhabitants of a town; townspeople; citizenry.
the particular town or city in mind or referred to: living on the outskirts of town; to be out of town.
a nearby or neighboring city; the chief town or city in a district: I am staying at a friend's apartment in town.
the main business or shopping area in a town or city; downtown.
British.
a village or hamlet in which a periodic market or fair is held.
any village or hamlet.
Scot. a farmstead.
of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or belonging to a town: town laws; town government; town constable.
Idioms about town
go to town, Informal.
to be successful.
to do well, efficiently, or speedily: The engineers really went to town on those plans.
to lose restraint or inhibition; overindulge.
on the town,
Informal. in quest of entertainment in a city's nightclubs, bars, etc.; out to have a good time: a bunch of college kids out on the town.
supported by the public charity of the state or community; on relief.
paint the town. paint (def. 16).
Origin of town
1synonym study For town
Other words from town
- townless, adjective
- in·ter·town, adjective
Other definitions for Town (2 of 2)
Ith·i·el [ith-ee-uhl], /ˈɪθ i əl/, 1784–1844, U.S. architect.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for town
/ (taʊn) /
a densely populated urban area, typically smaller than a city and larger than a village, having some local powers of government and a fixed boundary
(as modifier): town life Related adjective: urban
a city, borough, or other urban area
(in the US) a territorial unit of local government that is smaller than a county; township
the nearest town or commercial district
London or the chief city of an area
the inhabitants of a town
the permanent residents of a university town as opposed to the university staff and students: Compare gown (def. 3)
go to town
to make a supreme or unrestricted effort; go all out
Australian and NZ informal to lose one's temper
on the town seeking out entertainments and amusements
Origin of town
1Derived forms of town
- townish, adjective
- townless, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with town
In addition to the idiom beginning with town
- town and gown
also see:
- all over the place (town)
- ghost town
- go to town
- man about town
- one-horse town
- only game in town
- on the town
- out of town
- paint the town red
- talk of the town
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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