Metropolitan vs. Cosmopolitan — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
Metropolitan refers to a large city or urban area and its surrounding communities, often associated with the complexities of modern life.
Difference Between Metropolitan and Cosmopolitan
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Metropolitan and Cosmopolitan are two words that both relate to urban and cultural experiences, but they signify different aspects. Metropolitan is usually used to describe large cities or urban areas and their suburbs, essentially relating to a densely populated geographical location. Cosmopolitan, however, refers to a certain cultural characteristic; it describes places, people, or things as being worldly, open-minded, and diverse.
Being metropolitan typically implies having various urban amenities, like public transportation, high population density, and a range of services. The term is often used to identify large cities or areas that are economic, social, or political hubs. Cosmopolitan places or individuals, on the other hand, show a level of sophistication and a wide-ranging familiarity or appreciation for global cultures, cuisines, and languages.
In a real estate or political context, the word metropolitan is often used to describe areas that include not just a major city but also its surrounding communities. This could mean a metropolitan area or a metropolitan county. Cosmopolitan doesn't have such a fixed, spatial definition; it is more an attribute or quality. A small town can have a cosmopolitan atmosphere if it's culturally diverse and its residents have worldly tastes.
Metropolitan areas are often—but not always—cosmopolitan. That is, a large city can have all the amenities and still be provincial or monocultural. Conversely, a place can be cosmopolitan without being metropolitan. For example, an individual or even a small community can have a cosmopolitan outlook without being part of a large urban area.
Finally, while metropolitan is more commonly used as an adjective, it can also function as a noun, as in "a metropolitan is a resident of a metropolis." Cosmopolitan is most often used as an adjective but can also be a noun to describe a person who has a worldly outlook, as in "she is a cosmopolitan."
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Geographical location
Cultural characteristic
Implies
Urban amenities, density
Worldliness, diversity
Contexts
Real estate, politics
Social, cultural
Can be used as
Both adjective and noun
Mostly adjective, sometimes noun
Association with Cities
Always
Not necessarily
Compare with Definitions
Metropolitan
Relating to a large city or urban area.
He moved from a rural area to a metropolitan city.
Cosmopolitan
Open-minded and culturally diverse.
He had a cosmopolitan outlook on life.
Metropolitan
Typically has various urban amenities.
The metropolitan area had an extensive subway system.
Cosmopolitan
Mostly used as an adjective, but can be a noun.
She is a cosmopolitan in every sense.
Metropolitan
Of, relating to, or characteristic of a major city
Crowded metropolitan streets.
A metropolitan newspaper.
Cosmopolitan
Not necessarily related to size or population density.
The small town had a surprisingly cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Metropolitan
Of or constituting a large city or urbanized area, including adjacent suburbs and towns
The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
A metropolitan county.
Cosmopolitan
Not limited to specific cities or countries.
Her cosmopolitan lifestyle included frequent international travel.
Metropolitan
Of, relating to, or constituting the home territory of an imperial or colonial state.
Cosmopolitan
Including people from many different countries
Immigration transformed the city into a cosmopolitan metropolis
Metropolitan
Of or relating to an ecclesiastical metropolitan.
Cosmopolitan
(of a plant or animal) found all over the world.
Metropolitan
A citizen of a metropolis, especially one who displays urbane characteristics, attitudes, and values.
Cosmopolitan
A cosmopolitan person
Cosmopolitans who spoke both Spanish and English
Metropolitan
In the Western Christian churches, a bishop with provincial powers, with some authority over suffragan bishops.
Cosmopolitan
A plant or animal found all over the world.
Metropolitan
In most Eastern Orthodox churches, a bishop who is head of an ecclesiastical province and ranks next below the patriarch.
Cosmopolitan
A cocktail made with Cointreau, lemon vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
Metropolitan
In the Greek Orthodox church, a bishop ranking next below an archbishop.
Cosmopolitan
Pertinent or common to the whole world
An issue of cosmopolitan import.
Metropolitan
(Orthodox Christianity) A bishop empowered to oversee other bishops; an archbishop.
Cosmopolitan
Having constituent elements from all over the world or from many different parts of the world
The ancient and cosmopolitan societies of Syria and Egypt.
Metropolitan
The inhabitant of a metropolis.
Cosmopolitan
So sophisticated as to be at home in all parts of the world or conversant with many spheres of interest
A cosmopolitan traveler.
Metropolitan
(Orthodox Christianity) Pertaining to the see or province of a metropolitan.
Cosmopolitan
(Ecology) Growing or occurring in many parts of the world; widely distributed.
Metropolitan
Of, or pertaining to, a metropolis or other large urban settlement.
Cosmopolitan
A cosmopolitan person or organism; a cosmopolite.
Metropolitan
Of or pertaining to the parent state of a colony or territory, or the home country, e.g. metropolitan France
Cosmopolitan
A cocktail made of vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Also called cosmo.
Metropolitan
Of or pertaining to the capital or principal city of a country; as, metropolitan luxury.
Cosmopolitan
Inclusive; affecting the whole world.
Metropolitan
Of, pertaining to, or designating, a metropolitan or the presiding bishop of a country or province, his office, or his dignity; as, metropolitan authority.
Cosmopolitan
Composed of people from all over the world.
Metropolitan
The superior or presiding bishop of a country or province.
Cosmopolitan
(of a person) At ease in any part of the world; familiar with many cultures.
Metropolitan
An archbishop.
Cosmopolitan
Growing or living in many parts of the world; widely distributed.
Metropolitan
A bishop whose see is a civil metropolis. His rank is intermediate between that of an archbishop and a patriarch; as, the metropolitan of Constantinople.
Cosmopolitan
A cosmopolitan person; a cosmopolite.
Metropolitan
In the Eastern Orthodox Church this title is given to a position between bishop and patriarch; equivalent to archbishop in western Christianity
Cosmopolitan
A cocktail containing vodka, triple sec, lime juice and cranberry juice.
Metropolitan
A person who lives in a metropolis
Cosmopolitan
The butterfly Vanessa cardui.
Metropolitan
Relating to or characteristic of a metropolis;
Metropolitan area
Cosmopolitan
The moth Leucania loreyi
Metropolitan
Includes the city and its surrounding communities.
The metropolitan area had a high population density.
Cosmopolitan
One who has no fixed residence, or who is at home in every place; a citizen of the world.
Metropolitan
Often an economic, social, or political hub.
The metropolitan city was a key financial center.
Cosmopolitan
Having no fixed residence; at home in any place; free from local attachments or prejudices; not provincial; liberal.
In other countries taste is perphaps too exclusively national, in Germany it is certainly too cosmopolite.
Metropolitan
Can function as both an adjective and a noun.
As a metropolitan, he loved the city life.
Cosmopolitan
Common everywhere; widely spread; found in all parts of the world.
The Cheiroptera are cosmopolitan.
Cosmopolitan
A sophisticated person who has travelled in many countries
Cosmopolitan
Growing or occurring in many parts of the world;
A cosmopolitan herb
Cosmopolitan in distribution
Cosmopolitan
Composed of people from or at home in many parts of the world; especially not provincial in attitudes or interests;
His cosmopolitan benevolence impartially extended to all races and to all creeds
The ancient and cosmopolitan societies of Syria and Egypt
That queer, cosmopolitan, rather sinister crowd found around the Marseilles docks
Cosmopolitan
Of worldwide scope or applicability;
An issue of cosmopolitan import
The shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time
Universal experience
Cosmopolitan
Characterized by worldly sophistication.
The cosmopolitan city was full of diverse cuisines and art.
Common Curiosities
Is metropolitan a geographical term?
Yes, metropolitan primarily refers to a geographical location, usually a large city and its surrounding areas.
Can a small town be cosmopolitan?
Yes, a small town can be cosmopolitan if it has a diverse and worldly culture.
Is metropolitan used in politics?
Yes, metropolitan is often used in political and administrative contexts, like "metropolitan county."
Does cosmopolitan refer to a specific location?
No, cosmopolitan is a cultural characteristic and doesn't necessarily refer to a specific location.
What does a metropolitan area usually include?
A metropolitan area typically includes a large city and its surrounding communities or suburbs.
Is every metropolitan city cosmopolitan?
No, not every metropolitan city is cosmopolitan; some may lack cultural diversity.
Is every cosmopolitan city metropolitan?
No, a city can be cosmopolitan without being metropolitan in size or amenities.
Can a metropolitan area be culturally limited?
Yes, a metropolitan area can have all urban amenities and still be culturally limited or provincial.
Can cosmopolitan be used as a noun?
Yes, cosmopolitan can be used as a noun to describe a person with a worldly outlook.
Can a large city be non-metropolitan?
Generally, a large city is considered metropolitan due to its size and amenities.
What's the key difference between metropolitan and cosmopolitan?
The key difference is that metropolitan refers to a geographical area, usually a large city and its surroundings, while cosmopolitan describes a worldly, open-minded cultural characteristic.
Is cosmopolitan used in politics?
Cosmopolitan is not commonly used in political contexts; it's more often used to describe cultural characteristics.
What does cosmopolitan imply about a person or place?
Being cosmopolitan implies worldliness, open-mindedness, and cultural diversity.
How is metropolitan often used in real estate?
In real estate, metropolitan often describes areas that include a major city and its surrounding communities.
Can you be a cosmopolitan without traveling the world?
Yes, you can be a cosmopolitan by being open-minded and appreciating global cultures, even without extensive travel.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
