Meaning & Definition of word "Immigrant"

Immigrant

/ˈɪmɪɡrənt/

noun:

  • 1. A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.
    • Example: The immigrant community contributed significantly to the local economy.
  • 2. A person who leaves their country of origin to settle in another.
    • Example: After years of hard work, the immigrant finally obtained his citizenship.
  • 3. An individual who moves from one country to another, often for economic opportunities or to escape conflict.
    • Example: Many immigrant families seek better educational opportunities for their children.

Etymology

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

Common Phrases and Expressions

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.

Related Words

emigrant:

A person who leaves their country to live in another.

refugee:

A person who flees their country for safety.

Slang Meanings of immigrant

Meaning: wetback

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

Meaning: alien

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