noun

persona non grata

per-SOH-nuh non GRAH-tuh

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Persona non grata (noun) means a person who is no longer welcome somewhere, especially a foreign diplomat formally declared unacceptable by a host government and required to leave. Example: “Three embassy staff were declared persona non grata and given a week to leave the country.”

noun

A person who is no longer welcome somewhere, especially a foreign diplomat formally declared unacceptable by a host government and required to leave.

"Three embassy staff were declared persona non grata and given a week to leave the country."

"After the argument at the wedding he was persona non grata at family gatherings."

How to use persona non grata

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who is not welcome any more.

When to use it

Formal and diplomatic in its strict sense; used jokingly in social contexts. Plural is personae non gratae.

Memory tip

Written as three words with no hyphens and usually no italics. Do not shorten it to 'non grata' in formal writing.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

pariah → non grata persona →

Common pairings

declared persona non grata expel as persona non grata persona non grata in

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Three embassy staff were declared _____ and given a week to leave the country.

Etymology

Latin, literally 'person not pleasing', from persona 'person', non 'not' and grata, feminine of gratus 'pleasing, welcome'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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unwelcome person outcast pariah

Antonyms

persona grata welcome guest

Related words

outcast pariah black sheep dregs castaway Ishmael friendless

Rhymes for persona non grata

ATA kata mata Tata Lata Data Ogata Plata piñata strata sonata Renata

See all rhymes for persona non grata →

Frequently asked questions

What happens when a diplomat is declared persona non grata?

Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations a host state can declare any diplomat unacceptable at any time and without giving reasons. The sending state must recall them or end their functions, usually within a short deadline, or they lose diplomatic status.

What is the difference between persona non grata and a pariah?

Persona non grata is a formal declaration that someone is unwelcome in a particular place, and in diplomacy it has legal force. A pariah is a person or state shunned generally by everyone, with no formal mechanism behind it.

What is the plural of persona non grata?

Personae non gratae, following Latin agreement. In English writing personas non grata also appears but is less accepted in formal contexts.

What is the meaning of persona non grata?

"persona non grata" (noun) means a person who is no longer welcome somewhere, especially a foreign diplomat formally declared unacceptable by a host government and required to leave.

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