refugee
ref-yoo-JEE
/ˌref.jəˈdʒiː/
A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
Refers specifically to someone who has crossed an international border due to well-founded fear of harm.
The story behind the word. The word entered English in 1685 specifically to describe French Protestants (Huguenots) who fled religious persecution after King Louis XIV revoked their freedom of worship. The term gained universal legal meaning in international law after the displaced person crises of World War II.
Word relationships
- displaced person: Displaced persons can be internally displaced within their own country, whereas refugees cross international borders.
- migrant: Migrants choose to move voluntarily, whereas refugees are forced to flee to survive.
Commonly confused with
- emigrant: An emigrant leaves a country by choice; a refugee flees out of immediate necessity.
Word family
- refuge (noun): A condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.
Collocations
- refugee camp
- refugee crisis
- resettle refugees
Example sentences
- "A refugee is someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of persecution." United Nations Convention
Memory hook
A REFUGEE flees to find REFUGE. Forced flee across borders.
When not to use
Do not confuse with an economic migrant who moves voluntarily for better employment opportunities.
Fun facts
- The first English use of 'refugee' explicitly referred to Huguenot silk weavers escaping France.
Related words
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