exile
EHG-zyl
Exile (noun) means the state of being forced to live away from your home country, often for political reasons. Example: “After the coup, the old leader lived in exile abroad.”
noun
1
The state of being forced to live away from your home country, often for political reasons.
"After the coup, the old leader lived in exile abroad."
"Life in exile was lonely, and she missed her family and her city."
"He spent twenty years in exile before the regime finally collapsed."
2
A person living away from their home country because they have been forced out.
"The writer became an exile after her books were banned at home."
"Many exiles gathered in the city to share news from their homeland."
"The café was a favourite meeting spot for political exiles."
verb
1
To force someone to leave their home country, usually as punishment.
"The king decided to exile his rival rather than put him in prison."
"In ancient times, rulers would exile anyone who spoke against them."
"Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba."
How to use exile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing forced out of your home country, or the person this happens to.
Common pairings
live in exile
go into exile
political exile
exiled from
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Word forms
- Plural
- exiles
- Third person singular
- exiles
- Past tense
- exiled
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After the coup, the old leader lived in _____ abroad.
Etymology
From Old French exil, from Latin exsilium, "banishment," related to exsul, "a banished person."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for exile
See all rhymes for exile →Frequently asked questions
What does “exile” mean?
The word “exile” means the state of being forced to live away from your home country, often for political reasons. In plain terms, being forced out of your home country, or the person this happens to.
How do you pronounce “exile”?
“Exile” is pronounced EHG-zyl (/ˈɛɡˌzaɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “exile” in a sentence?
Here is “exile” used in a sentence: “He spent twenty years in exile before the regime finally collapsed.”
What part of speech is “exile”?
Depending on how it is used, “exile” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “exile” come from?
The word “exile” comes from Latin. From Old French exil, from Latin exsilium, "banishment," related to exsul, "a banished person.".
Is “exile” a common word?
“Exile” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “exile” have?
“Exile” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being forced to live away from your home country, often for political reasons.
What is the difference between exile and refugee?
Exile specifically implies someone has been forced out of their home country, often for political reasons or as punishment, while refugee more broadly describes someone who has fled their country, often due to war, persecution, or disaster, without necessarily being formally banished.
What is the difference between exile and deportation?
Exile is the state of being forced to live away from one's home country, often carrying political or punitive weight, while deportation is the formal legal process of removing someone from a country, often for immigration violations. Exile can result from deportation but also occurs through political banishment or self-imposed absence.
Can exile be voluntary?
The core definition of exile involves being forced out, but the term is sometimes used loosely for people who leave their home country by choice to escape persecution or danger, a usage sometimes called "self-imposed exile."
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