citizen
citizen
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling:
/ˈsɪtɪzən/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
First syllable (/sɪt/):
/s/: voiceless alveolar sibilant
/ɪ/: near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/t/: voiceless alveolar plosive
Second syllable (/ɪzən/):
/ɪ/: near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/z/: voiced alveolar sibilant
/ə/: schwa (mid-central vowel)
/n/: voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Singular noun: citizen
Plural noun: citizens
Adjective: citizenry (referring collectively to citizens, e.g., "the citizenry expressed its opinion") - Note: While "citizen" can modify another noun (e.g., "citizen science"), "citizenry" specifically functions as an adjective in this collective sense.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A person legally recognized as a member of a sovereign state or commonwealth, especially one who enjoys full civil and political rights. This status typically confers certain responsibilities and protections under the law of that state.
Synonyms: national, subject, resident, denizen, native
Antonyms: alien, foreigner, non-citizen, immigrant (though an immigrant can become a citizen), outsider
Definition 2: An inhabitant of a particular city or town; a member of a community. This definition emphasizes residence within a specific locale, often implying participation in local civic life.
Synonyms: resident, inhabitant, townsperson, burgher, local
Antonyms: visitor, transient, outsider
Adjective
Definition: (As "citizenry," referring to the collective body of citizens) Pertaining to or characteristic of the general public or the inhabitants of a state or city, especially concerning their rights, duties, or collective opinion.
Synonyms: public, civic, popular, communal
Antonyms: governmental, official, authoritative, private
Examples of Use
Books:
"He argued that the true strength of a democracy lay in the active participation of every citizen, not just a select few." (from Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, first published 1835)
"The novel explores what it means to be a global citizen in an increasingly interconnected world." (from a review of Exit West by Mohsin Hamid, The New York Times Book Review, March 2017)
Newspapers:
"Local citizens rallied outside city hall today, demanding more transparency from their elected officials." (The Guardian)
"The new policy aims to empower every citizen to access digital services more easily." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Is 'cancel culture' really a threat to free speech, or is it merely a reflection of a more engaged citizenry holding individuals accountable?" (from an opinion piece on Vox.com)
"Researchers are calling on citizen scientists to help track invasive species in their local communities." (from an article on National Geographic online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (News/Documentary): "The documentary highlighted the resilience of ordinary citizens living through extraordinary times." (seen on a BBC documentary, "Our Planet," April 2019)
Film: "Batman's motivation is often rooted in protecting the innocent citizens of Gotham City." (common theme in The Dark Knight film series, 2005-2012)
Video Games: "In the game Grand Theft Auto V, players interact with and often disrupt the lives of virtual citizens." (Rockstar Games, September 2013)
Social Media: "Proud to be an American citizen and exercise my right to vote today! #ElectionDay" (Twitter post, November 2024)
Podcast: "Our latest episode discusses the role of the engaged citizen in addressing climate change." (from "The Daily" podcast by The New York Times, February 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"As responsible citizens, we all have a part to play in keeping our communities clean." (spoken by a local community leader at a town hall meeting)
"Being a good citizen means looking out for your neighbors." (common idiom/phrase)
"The police chief emphasized the importance of citizen cooperation in solving crimes." (heard in a local news report)
10 Quotes Using Citizen
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." (Margaret Mead)
"The most important office... that of private citizen." (Louis D. Brandeis)
"The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight." (Theodore Roosevelt)
"It is not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen." (Aristotle)
"No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime." (Kofi Annan)
"I have no country to fight for: my country is the earth, and I am a citizen of the world." (Eugene V. Debs)
"This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are." (Plato)
"When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen." (George Washington)
"A passive and ignorant citizenry will never create a sustainable world." (Andrew Gaines)
"Every good citizen adds to the strength of a nation." (Gordon B. Hinckley)
Etymology
The word "citizen" has a fascinating history that takes us back to the early days of towns and cities.
In simple terms, "citizen" comes from a very old French word, "citeien" (which later became "citoyen" in modern French). This French word was itself derived from the Latin word "civitatem" (or "civitas"), which originally meant "citizenship" or "the condition or rights of a citizen." Over time, it also came to mean "a community of citizens" or "a state."
So, the core idea behind "citizen" is very much tied to the concept of a city.
The first known use and meaning of "citizen" in English, around the early 1300s (specifically, before 1325), was "an inhabitant of a city or town." This sense referred to someone who lived in a walled town or a major settlement, especially one who had certain civic rights and privileges, like being a "burgess" or "freeman" of that city.
It wasn't until later, in the late 14th century, that the meaning broadened to include the idea of an "inhabitant of a country" or a "member of a state or nation," someone who wasn't a foreigner. This shows how the concept evolved from being just about living in a specific town to being part of a larger political entity.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Citizen
Citizen's arrest: A lawful apprehension of a person by a private citizen, not a law enforcement officer.
Good citizen: A person who fulfills their civic duties and contributes positively to their community.
Global citizen: An individual who sees themselves as part of a global community and recognizes their responsibilities to the world as a whole.
Senior citizen: An elderly person, typically retired or nearing retirement age.
First-class citizen: (Often used in computing/programming) A type of entity that can be used without restriction and has all the rights and capabilities of other entities.
Citizen journalism: Journalism practiced by non-professional, everyday citizens who report on events using social media and other platforms.
Citizen scientist: A member of the general public who collects and analyzes data relating to the natural world, typically as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists.
To be a model citizen: To exemplify ideal civic behavior and responsibility.
To do one's duty as a citizen: To fulfill one's obligations to their country or community, such as voting or paying taxes.
Fellow citizens: A term used to address or refer to other members of one's own country or community.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of citizen from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
