big-city
UK: ˈbɪɡˌsɪti | US: ˈbɪɡˌsɪti
adj. relating to or characteristic of a large, densely populated urban area
n. a large, densely populated urban area (often used attributively)
The compound "big-city" combines "big" (Old English bīg, meaning "of great size") and "city" (Old French cité, from Latin civitas, meaning "community of citizens"). The term emerged in the 19th century to describe the growing prominence of metropolitan areas, emphasizing their scale and urban character. The morphemes retain their original meanings, reflecting the straightforward compounding typical of English descriptive terms.
She moved from a small town to a big-city neighborhood.
Big-city life can be fast-paced and overwhelming.
The film captures the struggles of big-city immigrants.
He prefers big-city amenities over rural simplicity.
Big-city traffic is notoriously congested during rush hour.