noun
Uncommon
migrant
MYG-ruhnt
Migrant (noun) means a person who moves from one place, country, or region to live or work in another. Example: “Many migrants come to the city looking for seasonal work.”
noun
1
A person who moves from one place, country, or region to live or work in another.
"Many migrants come to the city looking for seasonal work."
"As a young migrant, she moved abroad to find better work."
"The town welcomed each migrant who arrived to start a new life."
2
An animal, especially a bird, that moves between regions with the seasons.
"Swallows are well-known migrants, wintering in Africa."
"The whooper swan is a winter migrant that arrives here in autumn."
"Birdwatchers gathered at the coast to spot each migrant passing through."
adj
1
Relating to seasonal or long-distance movement from place to place.
"The farm relies heavily on migrant labour during harvest."
"Migrant birds fill the marshes every spring."
"A migrant worker spent the summer picking fruit on several farms."
How to use migrant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or some animal) that moves from one place to another, often for work, safety, or the seasons.
Common mistake
"Migrant" and "immigrant" are related but not identical: a migrant may move temporarily or repeatedly, while an immigrant settles permanently in a new country.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
migrant worker
migrant labour
migrant crisis
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Word forms
- Plural
- migrants
- Comparative
- more migrant
- Superlative
- most migrant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Many _____ come to the city looking for seasonal work.
Etymology
From French migrant, from Latin migrare ("to move from one place to another").
Related words
Rhymes for migrant
See all rhymes for migrant →Frequently asked questions
What does “migrant” mean?
The word “migrant” means a person who moves from one place, country, or region to live or work in another. In plain terms, someone (or some animal) that moves from one place to another, often for work, safety, or the seasons.
How do you pronounce “migrant”?
“Migrant” is pronounced MYG-ruhnt (/ˈmaɪɡɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “migrant” in a sentence?
Here is “migrant” used in a sentence: “Many migrants come to the city looking for seasonal work.”
What part of speech is “migrant”?
Depending on how it is used, “migrant” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “migrant” come from?
The word “migrant” comes from Latin. From French migrant, from Latin migrare ("to move from one place to another").
Is “migrant” a common word?
“Migrant” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “migrant” have?
“Migrant” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who moves from one place, country, or region to live or work in another.
What is the difference between a migrant and an immigrant?
A migrant is a broader term for a person who moves from one place, country, or region to live or work in another, without specifying direction or permanence. An immigrant more specifically refers to someone who moves into a new country to settle there permanently, making immigrant a narrower category within the general term migrant.
What is the difference between a migrant and a refugee?
A migrant is generally someone who moves to another place or country to live or work, often by choice, while a refugee is someone forced to flee their home country due to persecution, conflict, or danger. The key distinction is that migration can be voluntary, whereas refugee status implies compulsion and legal protection needs.
How is the word migrant used to describe animals?
Migrant can describe an animal, especially a bird, that moves between regions with the changing seasons, such as a migrant species that travels south for the winter. This usage parallels the human sense of the word but applies to seasonal, instinct-driven movement.
