citizenship
3 synonyms for citizenship, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The legal status of being a citizen of a particular country, along with its associated rights and duties.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
civic status
naturalization
How to use citizenship
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
apply for citizenship
dual citizenship
grant citizenship
Etymology
Formed from "citizen" plus "-ship", the suffix indicating a state or condition.
Full origin of citizenship →Frequently asked questions
What does “citizenship” mean?
The word “citizenship” means the legal status of being a citizen of a particular country, along with its associated rights and duties. In plain terms, official membership of a country, with the rights and responsibilities that come with it.
How do you pronounce “citizenship”?
“Citizenship” is pronounced SIH-tih-zuhn-shihp (/ˈsɪtɪzənʃɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “citizenship” in a sentence?
Here is “citizenship” used in a sentence: “He applied for British citizenship after five years of residency.”
What part of speech is “citizenship”?
“Citizenship” is a noun.
Is “citizenship” a common word?
“Citizenship” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between citizenship and nationality?
Citizenship is the legal status of belonging to a particular country along with the specific rights and duties that come with it, such as voting or serving on a jury. Nationality often refers more broadly to the country a person belongs to or identifies with, and in some countries a person can hold a nationality without full citizenship rights.
What is the difference between citizenship and residency?
Citizenship is a permanent legal status carrying full rights and duties in a country, including the right to hold a passport and to vote. Residency is permission to live in a country and is usually conditional and revocable, and it does not by itself grant the political rights that come with citizenship.
What are the duties associated with citizenship?
Citizenship carries both rights and duties. Common duties include obeying the country's laws, paying taxes, and in many countries serving on a jury or performing military or civic service when required.
