"edge city" means: A concentration of business, shopping, and entertainment locations outside a traditional downtown (or central business district), in what wa.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
edge city
(US, urban studies) A concentration of business, shopping, and entertainment locations outside a traditional downtown (or central business district), in what was previously a residential or rural area
Etymology timeline
Born ~1991 · no dated citations yetDefinitions
(US, urban studies) A concentration of business, shopping, and entertainment locations outside a traditional downtown (or central business district), in what was previously a residential or rural area.
"edge city" means: A concentration of business, shopping, and entertainment locations outside a traditional downtown (or central business district), in what wa.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.
"edge city" means: A concentration of business, shopping, and entertainment locations outside a traditional downtown (or central business district), in what wa.... Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (US) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Other words near "edge city" (E)
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Related terms
People also read
Semantically related
- downtown66%
Of, relating to, or situated in the central business district.
- suburb63%
A residential area located on the outskirts of a city or large town that usually includes businesses that cater to its residents; such as schools, grocery stores, shopping centers, restaurants, convenience stores, etc.
- downtown63%
In or towards the central business district.
- uptown62%
(chiefly, North America) The residential part of a city, away from the commercial center.
- business end61%
The part of a day, event, or place (such as a city or district) used for business activities.