noun · academic

gentrification

/ˌdʒɛntrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/gen·tri·fi·CA·tion

Band 6-7speakingtask2

The process by which wealthier people move into a poorer area, raising property values and often displacing the original residents.

Examples

Many long-term residents complained that gentrification had made the neighbourhood unaffordable.

The council debated measures to limit gentrification in historic districts.

Small independent shops were replaced by boutique stores as gentrification progressed.

Band 8 sentence

Gentrification has transformed the old docklands: trendy cafés and galleries replaced family-run shops, but long-term residents have been priced out.

Collocations

  • gentrification of neighbourhoods
  • resist gentrification
  • widespread gentrification

Word family

gentrify verbgentrifier noun

Common mistakes

a gentrificationgentrification

a gentrify areaa gentrified area

Say it for a higher band

5improvement6revitalization7+gentrification

Synonyms

revitalization

upgrading

Easily confused

revitalization

The revitalization of the waterfront brought new shops without forcing out long-term residents.

Related words

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In City & Urban life

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