Wordiyo
RootsVocabularyCoursesGuidesMy WordsPricing
Wordiyo

Build your English vocabulary systematically through roots and etymology.

Explore

  • Roots
  • Vocabulary
  • My Words

Learn

  • Guides
  • Pricing

Company

  • About
  • Terms
  • Privacy

© 2026 Wordiyo.

  1. Home
  2. /English Word Roots
  3. /urb

urb

Latin

city

Your mastery

About This Root

From Latin urbs (city), originally referring to Rome itself. In English: urban (of the city), urbane (polished, as a city-dweller should be), urbanize (to make city-like), suburb (below/near the city), and exurb (beyond the suburb). The pairing of urban (relating to the city) and urbane (refined) reflects the Roman belief that city life cultivated sophistication.

Checking your access…

Associated Words · 24

Filter:

urban

Of or relating to a city or town

suburban

Relating to or located in the suburbs; a person living in the suburbs

suburb

A residential area on the outskirts of a city

urbanization

The process by which cities grow and rural populations move to urban areas

conurbation

A large urban area formed by the merging of several towns or cities

suburbanite

A person who lives in the suburbs

urbane

Having refined, polite, and sophisticated manners

urbanite

A person who lives in a city or urban area

urbanism

The study of cities; the culture and lifestyle of city dwellers

suburbanization

The process of population movement from cities to suburbs

urbanize

To make more urban in character or develop into an urban area

urbanity

Polished and refined courtesy; sophistication

exurb

A residential area beyond the suburbs

urbanist

An expert in urban planning or city studies

interurban

Connecting or relating to two or more urban areas

exurban

Of or relating to areas beyond the suburbs

exurbanite

A person who lives beyond the suburbs

inurbane

Lacking good manners; rude

inurbanity

Lack of courtesy or good manners

urbanology

The study of urban life and city problems

urbanized

Having become urban in character

rural-urban

Relating to both rural and urban areas

semi-urban

Partly urban in character; between rural and urban

urban-planning

The design and organization of cities and towns