ˌinner ˈcity noun (
plural inner cities)
[countable] the part near the middle of a city, especially where the buildings are in a bad condition and the people are poor:
the problems of our inner cities—inner-city adjective:
inner-city schools [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
inner city n.,
colloquial Densely populated neighborhoods in large metropolitan areas inhabited by low income families usually of minority backgrounds, such as Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, or African Americans; characterized by slums and government-owned high rises.
Joe comes from the inner city
■ he may need help with his reading. [TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲