Cosmopolitanism — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˌkäz-mə-ˈpä-lə-tən/ cos·mo·pol·i·tan

Meaning & Definition of Cosmopolitanism

Cosmopolitanism (adjective)

  1. having wide international sophistication, worldly
  2. composed of persons, constituents, or elements from all or many parts of the world
  3. having worldwide rather than limited or provincial scope or bearing

Cosmopolitanism (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in sophistication, urbanity

    similar: sophistication, urbanity, education, erudition, intellectualism, intellectuality, knowledge, learning, literacy, scholarship, breeding, genteelness, gentility, manners, accomplishment, civilization, couth, cultivation, culture, polish, refinement, class, elegance, grace, taste, civility, courteousness, courtesy, politeness
    opposite: barbarianism, barbarism, philistinism, ignorance, illiteracy, parochialism, provincialism, rusticity, unsophistication, boorishness, churlishness, clownishness, coarseness, crudeness, vulgarity

Related Entry: Cosmopolitan (adjective)

Cosmopolitan is a different word from Cosmopolitanism. The synonyms below are for cosmopolitan, not for cosmopolitanism.

  1. having a wide and refined knowledge of the world especially from personal experience

    "a college student who now seems conspicuously cosmopolitan after spending his junior year abroad"

    similar: smart, sophisticated, worldly, worldly-wise
    related: suave, urbane, civilized, cultivated, cultured, polished, refined, experienced, knowing, practiced, schooled, seasoned, bored, cynical, jaded, skeptical, down-to-earth, pragmatic, realistic, sober
    opposite: guileless, ingenuous, innocent, naive, unsophisticated, untutored, unworldly, wide-eyed
    near: callow, green, inexperienced, raw, parochial, provincial, rustic, philistine, uncivilized, uncultured, unrefined, childlike, simple, simpleminded, idealistic, impractical, uncritical, unknowing

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cosmopolitanism

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cosmopolitanism:

sophistication, urbanity, education, erudition, intellectualism, intellectuality, knowledge, learning, literacy, scholarship, breeding, genteelness, gentility, manners, accomplishment, civilization, couth, cultivation, culture, polish, refinement, class, elegance, grace, taste, civility, courteousness, courtesy, politeness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cosmopolitanism

Words with the opposite meaning of Cosmopolitanism:

barbarianism, barbarism, philistinism, ignorance, illiteracy, parochialism, provincialism, rusticity, unsophistication, boorishness, churlishness, clownishness, coarseness, crudeness, vulgarity

Word Forms of Cosmopolitanism

Derived words: cosmopolitanism (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Cosmopolitanism

First known use: 1798

Frequently Asked Questions about Cosmopolitanism

What does "Cosmopolitanism" mean?

"Cosmopolitanism" means having wide international sophistication, worldly. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: having wide international sophistication, worldly.

What is another word for "Cosmopolitanism"?

Other words for "Cosmopolitanism" include sophistication, urbanity, education, erudition, intellectualism, intellectuality, knowledge and learning. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cosmopolitanism" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cosmopolitanism"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cosmopolitanism". Common alternatives include sophistication, urbanity, education, erudition, intellectualism, intellectuality, knowledge, learning, literacy and scholarship.

What is the opposite of "Cosmopolitanism"?

Antonyms of "Cosmopolitanism" include barbarianism, barbarism, philistinism, ignorance, illiteracy, parochialism, provincialism and rusticity.

Is "Cosmopolitanism" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cosmopolitanism" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Cosmopolitanism"?

"Cosmopolitanism" is pronounced /ˌkäz-mə-ˈpä-lə-tən/ and divided into syllables as cos·mo·pol·i·tan.

What is the origin of the word "Cosmopolitanism"?

First known use: 1798.

What is another word for "Cosmopolitanism" meaning "as in sophistication, urbanity"?

When "Cosmopolitanism" (noun) means as in sophistication, urbanity, synonyms include sophistication, urbanity, education, erudition, intellectualism and intellectuality. Opposites in this sense include barbarianism, barbarism, philistinism and ignorance.