Citified: meaning, definitions and examples

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citified

 

[ˈsɪtəfaɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

urban development

The term 'citified' refers to something that has characteristics or qualities of a city. This can include both physical changes in the landscape as urban areas expand and cultural changes as city living influences lifestyle and social interactions. The term often implies a contrast with rural or less densely populated areas. Citified spaces may have amenities typical of urban life, such as public transportation, shopping centers, and diverse communities.

Synonyms

city-like, metropolitan, urbanized.

Examples of usage

  • The citified environment offers a wide array of cultural attractions.
  • Her citified fashion sense was inspired by trends seen in major cities.
  • The countryside is slowly becoming more citified with new developments.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term combines 'city' and the suffix '-fied', which indicates transformation or change.
  • The word emerged more prominently in the 20th century as urban areas began to expand rapidly.
  • Initially used to describe rural areas that lost their characteristics by being developed into cities.

Urban Development

  • Citification often involves the process of gentrification, where wealthier individuals move into an area, leading to changes in its character.
  • This transformation can bring both opportunities for economic growth and challenges for existing residents.
  • It reflects broader trends like urbanization, where more people live and work in city areas rather than rural settings.

Cultural Impact

  • As areas become more citified, local cultures may blend, leading to a mix of traditions and lifestyles.
  • The term is often used in discussions about the impact of global culture on local communities.
  • Citified places may struggle to retain their original culture, leading to 'cultural homogenization' where unique identities are lost.

Environmental Considerations

  • With increased citification, issues like pollution and decreased green spaces often arise.
  • Cities must adapt to handle the environmental impacts of their growth, such as waste management and energy usage.
  • Urban planners focus on making citified areas more sustainable through green architecture and public transport solutions.

Psychology

  • Living in citified environments can influence social behavior, leading to a sense of anonymity among residents.
  • Studies show that urban living can impact mental health, with both positive social interactions and negative stressors.
  • Individuals in citified areas may experience 'urban overload', leading to fatigue or disconnect from nature.