Immigrant

/ˈɪmɪɡrənt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.

The immigrant community contributed significantly to the local economy.

A person who leaves their country of origin to settle in another.

After years of hard work, the immigrant finally obtained his citizenship.

An individual who moves from one country to another, often for economic opportunities or to escape conflict.

Many immigrant families seek better educational opportunities for their children.

The word 'immigrant' comes from the Latin 'immigrare', which means 'to move into'.

illegal immigrant

A person who enters a country without the necessary legal documentation.

economic immigrant

A person who moves to another country for improved economic opportunities.

emigrant

A person who leaves their country to live in another.

refugee

A person who flees their country for safety.

wetback

Some derogatory terms are inappropriate to use when referring to an undocumented immigrant.

alien

In legal contexts, immigrants are sometimes referred to as aliens.