townspeople

Everyday

The people who live in a town, especially when thought of all together. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and fairy tales (like «The Pied Piper of Hamelin»), the townspeople react together: they cheer, panic or refuse to pay. In history, townspeople were merchants and craftspeople, different from farmers or lords. Phrases: «the townspeople gathered», «the townspeople of Hamelin».

Examples

• The townspeople gathered in the square to hear the news. tree →
• The townspeople of Hamelin would not pay the Piper. tree →
• All the townspeople came out to watch the parade. tree →
• The flood forced the townspeople to leave their homes. tree →
• In the Middle Ages, townspeople paid taxes to the lord. tree →
• The townspeople cheered when the hero returned. tree →
• He drove by the town, but the townspeople had met together and had been looking out for him for ever so long. tree →

Note

Plural noun: «the townspeople are…», never «a townspeople». Also: townsfolk (similar, a bit old-fashioned), townsperson (one, rare). One word.