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# inner city

phrase (noun phrase: the inner city, inner cities; adjective: inner-city schools)

«inner city» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, everyday, mainly US) a poor, crowded neighbourhood near a city centre, often with old housing and many problems.
2. (literal) the central part of a city.

### In the lessons

Used by politicians, the news and charities to talk about poor urban areas without saying «poor» or «slum»; it can also hide talk about race. In Australia and some UK use it can simply mean the central, sometimes fashionable area. Register: everyday, news, official; strongest as a euphemism in the US.

### Examples

- The charity runs summer camps for children from the inner city.
- News: Inner-city schools need more money for books.
- She grew up in the inner city and became a doctor.
- Politicians promised new jobs for inner-city neighbourhoods.
- In Sydney, the inner city has expensive cafés and flats.
- Our class compared life in the inner city and in the countryside.

### Note

In the US it usually suggests poverty; in Australia and parts of the UK it may just mean «near the centre» and can be rich. It can sound like a hidden label for poor or minority people, so be careful. Plain words: poor city area.