immigrant
IM-i-gruhnt
/ˈmɪɡrənt/
A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.
Immigrant focuses on the point of arrival. You are an immigrant in the country where you settle.
The story behind the word. Formed by combining the Latin prefix 'in-' (into) with 'migrare' (to move), this word looks at the traveler from the perspective of the host nation. It is the act of stepping into a new home and planting new roots.
Word relationships
- newcomer: Newcomer is a casual term for anyone recently arrived in a town or group, whereas immigrant specifically denotes crossing international borders to settle permanently.
- settler: Settler historically refers to people establishing a colony on land not previously integrated into their state, often carrying colonial connotations.
- native: A native is born in the country where they reside, having ancestral roots there.
- emigrant: An emigrant is a person viewed from the perspective of the country they left, not the one they entered.
Commonly confused with
- migrant: A migrant may move temporarily (e.g., seasonal agricultural work), while an immigrant intends to establish a permanent home.
Word family
- immigrate (verb): To come to live permanently in a foreign country.
- immigration (noun): The action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country.
Collocations
- first-generation immigrant
- undocumented immigrant
- immigrant community
- legal immigrant
Example sentences
- "The neighborhood became a vibrant cultural hub, shaped by generations of immigrant families who opened shops and restaurants." Describing urban diversity.
- "Economists argue that the country needs skilled immigrant labor to support its rapidly aging workforce." A policy debate on labor.
Memory hook
I-mmigrant starts with 'I' for Inbound or Into. Coming into a new country.
When not to use
Do not use for tourists, seasonal workers, or business travelers who do not intend to stay permanently.
Fun facts
- The United States has the largest absolute number of immigrants in the world, with over 50 million foreign-born residents.
Related words
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