'metropolis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'mētēr' meaning 'mother' and 'polis' meaning 'city'.

'mētropolis' transformed into the Latin word 'metropolis', and eventually became the modern English word 'metropolis'.

Initially, it meant 'mother city', referring to a city that was the origin of a colony, but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a large and important city'.