refugee
REF-yoo-JEE
/ˌrɛfjuˈdʒiː/
A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
Implies a lack of choice and a state of vulnerability.
The story behind the word. From the French 'refugié', the past participle of 'refugier' (to take shelter). It was first used in English to describe French Protestants (Huguenots) fleeing to England in 1685.
Word relationships
- displaced person: A broader term that includes people forced to move within their own country.
Commonly confused with
- asylum seeker: A refugee has been recognized as needing protection; an asylum seeker is still waiting for that recognition.
Word family
- refuge (noun): A condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.
Collocations
- refugee camp
- refugee status
- war refugee
Example sentences
- "A refugee is someone who survived and can create the future." A humanitarian appeal.
- "The border was flooded with thousands of refugees fleeing the sudden outbreak of violence." A news report.
Memory hook
A 'refugee' seeks 'refuge' from a 'fugitive' situation. Seeking refuge.
When not to use
Do not use for people moving voluntarily for economic reasons; they are 'migrants' or 'immigrants'.
Fun facts
- The 1951 Refugee Convention is the key legal document that defines who a refugee is and what rights they have.
Related words
Explore more words
asylum, repatriation, exile, migrate, persecution, migration
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