suburban

[ suh-bur-buhn ]

adjective

1. pertaining to, inhabiting, or being in a suburb or the suburbs of a city or town.
2. characteristic of a suburb or suburbs.

noun

1. a suburbanite.
2. a short overcoat for casual wear.
3. station wagon.

suburban

/ səˈbɜːbən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, situated in, or inhabiting a suburb or the suburbs
2. characteristic of or typifying a suburb or the suburbs
3. pejorative.
   narrow or unadventurous in outlook

noun

1. another word for suburbanite

Other Words From

• sub·urban·ism noun
• nonsub·urban adjective noun
• semi·sub·urban adjective
• unsub·urban adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suburban¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin suburbānus “located close to a city (especially to Rome),” equivalent to sub- + urb- (stem of urbs “city”) + -ānus adjective suffix; sub-, urban

Example Sentences

Yet as urban and suburban sprawl continues to push communities further into fire-prone landscapes and climate change continues to worsen blazes, scientists and fire experts are fiercely debating what control homeowners really have over whether their home survives — or if it simply comes down to chance.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the same Post analysis, “The correlation between a county’s non-White voting population and its shift toward Trump isn’t nearly as strong in suburban or rural areas.”

From Slate

The Russian Shahed drone killed the 14-year-old in her bed, in her suburban apartment in Kyiv, last month.

From BBC

The fire prompted evacuation orders for more than 10,000 people as it threatened structures in suburban communities and agricultural areas around Camarillo.

From Los Angeles Times

Sitting at the coffee shop, Schneider looks every bit the suburban dad.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• rural