variants
or less commonly towny
plural townies
informal
: a native or resident of a town
especially
: a permanent inhabitant of a town as distinguished from a member of another group (such as the academic community)
Every Yooper I've ever met was an uncommonly unique character – a real salt-of-the-earth townie skilled at mechanics, deer hunting, and/or ice fishing. —
Kelly O
Kelly O … a question every intelligent and ambitious townie one day must confront: should I stay or leave? —Ben Yagoda
—often used before another noun Ben Yagoda This old school townie bar is located just off of Main Street on the outskirts of town … and it's the sort of place that I'd imagine has a regular clientele of locals who drop by on a daily basis for a shot and a beer. —Lori Fredrich
Lori Fredrich 
Examples of townie in a Sentence
fights between townies and college kids
the townies are dismayed that all the venerable manses around the village green are being bought as vacation homes by rich interlopers
Recent Examples on the Web
Or grab a seat in the Canteen’s backyard, where the beach party atmosphere draws a lively cross section of Provincetown — townie and tourist, young and old, gay and straight alike.
—Brett Sokol, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2024
All of the standard tropes are set up—the weird old townie who tries to warn the kids off, a creepy old basement filled with bizarre and ominous paraphernalia, etc.—though maybe they’re set up just a little too perfectly.
—Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024
After enjoying what seems to be only minutes of the dance — likely not even long enough for an unruly townie to spike the prom punch — Karl must ditch his date in the middle of the soiree in order to pursue his latest murder investigation.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2024
With Richard Gere 45 Years After ‘American Gigolo’ – Cannes
The 1982 pic starred Richard Gere, Debra Winger and Louis Gossett Jr. and follows a loner who sets out to finish his Navy Officer training while dealing with a tough-as-nails drill sergeant while also finding love with a local townie.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for townie 
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Brett Sokol, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2024
All of the standard tropes are set up—the weird old townie who tries to warn the kids off, a creepy old basement filled with bizarre and ominous paraphernalia, etc.—though maybe they’re set up just a little too perfectly.
—Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 25 Oct. 2024
After enjoying what seems to be only minutes of the dance — likely not even long enough for an unruly townie to spike the prom punch — Karl must ditch his date in the middle of the soiree in order to pursue his latest murder investigation.
—Claire Franken, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2024
With Richard Gere 45 Years After ‘American Gigolo’ – Cannes
The 1982 pic starred Richard Gere, Debra Winger and Louis Gossett Jr. and follows a loner who sets out to finish his Navy Officer training while dealing with a tough-as-nails drill sergeant while also finding love with a local townie.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for townie
Dictionary Entries Near townie
Cite this Entry
“Townie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/townie. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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