alien
Alien (noun) means a being from another planet. Example: “The movie is about aliens invading Earth.”
How to use alien
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA being from outer space, a foreign non-citizen, or (as an adjective) something unfamiliar and strange.
Word forms
- Singular
- aliens
- Plural
- aliens
- Past tense
- aliened
- Comparative
- more alien
- Superlative
- most alien
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The movie is about _____ invading Earth.
Etymology
From Latin alienus ("belonging to another"), from alius ("other") — related to English "else".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for alien
See all rhymes for alien →Frequently asked questions
What does “alien” mean?
The word “alien” means a being from another planet. In plain terms, a being from outer space, a foreign non-citizen, or (as an adjective) something unfamiliar and strange.
How do you pronounce “alien”?
“Alien” is pronounced AY-lee-uhn (/ˈeɪ.li.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “alien” in a sentence?
Here is “alien” used in a sentence: “The movie is about aliens invading Earth.”
What is another word for “alien”?
Words with a similar meaning to “alien” include outlander.
What part of speech is “alien”?
Depending on how it is used, “alien” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “alien” come from?
The word “alien” comes from Latin. From Latin alienus ("belonging to another"), from alius ("other") — related to English "else".
Is “alien” a common word?
“Alien” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “alien” have?
“Alien” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a being from another planet.
What is the difference between an alien and an immigrant?
In its legal sense, an 'alien' is simply a foreign citizen living in a country where they do not hold citizenship, a formal or bureaucratic label. 'Immigrant' describes a person who has come to settle in a new country, and is the more everyday, neutral word most people use.
What is the difference between 'alien' as a noun and as an adjective?
As a noun, 'alien' names a being from another planet or a foreign non-citizen. As an adjective it means strange, unfamiliar, or foreign, as in 'an alien landscape' or 'ideas alien to our culture'.
What words commonly go with 'alien'?
Common pairings include 'alien life', 'alien invasion', and 'illegal alien' in legal or immigration contexts. As an adjective you often hear 'alien concept', 'alien environment', and 'utterly alien'.
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