immigrant
IH-mihg-ruhnt
Immigrant (noun) means a person who moves from one country to live permanently in another. Example: “As a recent immigrant, he was still learning the local customs and language.”
noun
1
A person who moves from one country to live permanently in another.
"As a recent immigrant, he was still learning the local customs and language."
"Her grandparents were immigrants who arrived from Italy in the 1950s."
"The city has a large immigrant population working in its factories."
adj
1
Relating to people who have moved to live in another country.
"The school offers extra language classes for immigrant children who have just arrived."
"Many immigrant communities keep their traditional festivals alive in their new homes."
"The nonprofit provides legal aid to immigrant families."
How to use immigrant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who has moved from their home country to settle in a new one.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "emigrant" — you emigrate FROM a country and immigrate TO one; the same person can be described both ways depending on which country you're talking about.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
illegal immigrant
immigrant community
immigrant family
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Word forms
- Plural
- immigrants
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
As a recent _____, he was still learning the local customs and language.
Etymology
From Latin immigrans, "migrating into," from in- ("into") plus migrare ("to migrate").
Related words
Rhymes for immigrant
See all rhymes for immigrant →Frequently asked questions
What does “immigrant” mean?
The word “immigrant” means a person who moves from one country to live permanently in another. In plain terms, someone who has moved from their home country to settle in a new one.
How do you pronounce “immigrant”?
“Immigrant” is pronounced IH-mihg-ruhnt (/ˈɪmɪɡɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “immigrant” in a sentence?
Here is “immigrant” used in a sentence: “Her grandparents were immigrants who arrived from Italy in the 1950s.”
What is the opposite of “immigrant”?
The opposite of “immigrant” — its antonyms — is emigrant.
What part of speech is “immigrant”?
Depending on how it is used, “immigrant” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “immigrant” come from?
The word “immigrant” comes from Latin. From Latin immigrans, "migrating into," from in- ("into") plus migrare ("to migrate").
Is “immigrant” a common word?
“Immigrant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “immigrant” have?
“Immigrant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who moves from one country to live permanently in another.
What is the difference between an immigrant and an emigrant?
The same person can be both, depending on perspective. They are an emigrant from the country they leave and an immigrant in the country where they settle: emigrant looks at the departure, immigrant looks at the arrival.
What is the difference between an immigrant and a migrant?
Migrant is the broadest term for anyone who moves from one place to another, including temporary moves and moves within a country. An immigrant specifically moves from one country to another intending to live there permanently.
What is the difference between an immigrant and a refugee?
An immigrant is anyone who moves to another country to live permanently, for any reason. A refugee is someone forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or danger, a status specifically defined in international law.
Do you immigrate to or emigrate from a country?
You immigrate to a country and emigrate from one; the prepositions follow the direction each verb describes. Remembering that immigrate means moving in and emigrate means exiting keeps the pair straight.
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