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Glite Dictionary
burb

burb

13 8.6
A place outside a city where many people live, with houses and parks
  • noun
  • /bɜrb/
  • Informal
translation icon : afueras
  • Dad, now that we moved to the 'burbs, why does mom have a constant smile on her face?
  • moved to the burbs
  • live in the burbs
  • house in the burbs

And so I would go through a couple little burbs like like Akron.

Examples

  • I'm from the Philly burbs, so it isn't hard choosing a local team.

    Blog text (27)

  • A big house in the burbs, marriage, family, and an SUV or minivan?

    Blog text (4)

  • We live in the burbs, so we absolutely have to have a car.

    Blog text (8)

  • In the burbs, you need a much higher market share to hit break even.

    Blog text (2)

  • Not a lot of people go to the 'burbs.

    Wrong Side of Town (2010)

  • We live in the burbs.

    Now You Know (2002)

  • If that's important to you, then the burbs might be a better choice.

    Blog text (19)

  • The counsellor suggested we move to the 'burbs.

    The Stepford Wives (2004)

  • I was born and raised in the SW burbs of Chicago, hardcore White Sox country.

    Blog text (27)

  • Living in the burbs provides a quieter lifestyle compared to the hustle of the city.

Synonyms

suburb
vsburb
286 2.7

An area just outside a city with many houses where people live

is the informal, casual name for that residential area
in the suburbs
vsburb
49 1.0

Areas outside a city center where people live

is the informal name used rather than an expression of location
suburbia
vsburb
13 4.2

Areas just outside a city where many people live

is the informal place word focusing on the area itself not culture
faubourg
vsburb
  • US
1 9.9

A neighborhood outside the old part of a city, often in New Orleans

is the common informal term used broadly rather than a regional name
quiet burb
vsburb
  • Informal
7.7

A small town near a city where people live quietly

is the informal term without implying quietness

Compounds

quiet burb
  • Informal
7.7

A small town near a city where people live quietly

How Urban

metropolis
175 5.2
city
∞ 1.0
burb
  • Informal
13 8.6
town
∞ 1.0
village
∞ 1.0
countryside
136 1.1

Surface Forms

burb singular
burbs plural

Etymology

Burb is a short, casual form of suburb. The part sub- means 'under' and urb is the same part as in urban meaning 'city', so burb became a quick, informal way to say a residential area just outside a city.