Cosmopolitan describes someone who feels comfortable and at home in many different places and cultures around the world. A cosmopolitan person might speak several languages, enjoy foods from different countries, and make friends easily whether they're in Tokyo, Paris, or São Paulo. The word comes from Greek roots meaning “citizen of the world.”

When you call a city cosmopolitan, you mean it's diverse and international, with people from many backgrounds living and working together. New York, London, and Singapore are cosmopolitan cities where you might hear dozens of languages spoken on a single block and find restaurants serving cuisine from every continent.

Being cosmopolitan involves both experience and attitude. It means having openness and curiosity about different ways of living. A cosmopolitan outlook means you're interested in learning how people in other places think, what they value, and how they solve problems. You don't assume your own way is the only right way.

The opposite of cosmopolitan is provincial, which describes someone with a narrow, limited view shaped only by their local experience. While there's value in knowing your own community deeply, a cosmopolitan perspective helps you understand the bigger picture and connect with the wider world.

As a noun, a cosmopolitan is a person with this kind of international, “citizen of the world” outlook.