The word "burbs" is an informal slang referring to the suburbs or suburban areas. There are several synonyms to this word, including the suburbs, outskirts, hinterlands, exurbs, periphery, and fringe. The suburbs are residential areas surrounding a city, usually characterized by a suburban lifestyle. Outskirts are the outermost parts of a city, while hinterlands are the often remote and rural areas surrounding it. Exurbs are regions located beyond the suburbs and may still retain some elements of a rural lifestyle. Periphery refers to the outer edges, usually far from the center of activity, while the fringe is the outermost part of an area where the suburb meets the rural countryside.