emigrate
EM-ih-grayt
/ˈɛmɪɡreɪt/
To leave one's own country in order to settle permanently in another.
Focuses on the country of origin and the act of departing.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'emigrare', where 'e-' means 'out' and 'migrare' means 'to move'. It emphasizes the exit from the homeland.
Word relationships
- depart: A general term for leaving, while emigrate specifically refers to leaving one's country permanently.
- immigrate: To come into a foreign country to live.
Commonly confused with
- immigrate: Emigrate is 'moving out,' while immigrate is 'moving in.'
Word family
- emigration (noun): The act of leaving one's own country to settle elsewhere.
- emigrant (noun): A person who leaves their own country to settle permanently in another.
Collocations
- emigrate from
- decide to emigrate
- forced to emigrate
Example sentences
- "I shall emigrate to some other country." A classic literary reference.
- "My grandparents decided to emigrate from Ireland during the Great Famine to find a better life." A family history narrative.
Memory hook
Think of the 'E' in 'Emigrate' standing for 'Exit'—you are EXITing your country. E for Exit, I for In.
When not to use
Do not use when the focus is on the arrival in the new country; use 'immigrate' instead.
Fun facts
- In the 19th century, emigration was often seen as a 'safety valve' for overpopulated European cities.
Also appears in
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