immigrant
noun
im·mi·grant ˈi-mə-grənt 
: one that immigrates: such as
a
: a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence
b
: a plant or animal that becomes established in an area where it was previously unknown
immigrant adjective
Did you know?
immigrant or emigrant?
Both of these words come from the Latin migrare (“to move from one place to another”), and both have definitions in English that hew closely to their etymological roots, but there is a definite difference between how you would use each one. Emigrant is used in reference to the country that has been left (“an emigrant from Canada”), while immigrant is used in reference the country that one is destined for (“an immigrant to Spain”).
Synonyms
- emigrant
- émigré
- emigré
- in-migrant
- incomer [chiefly British]
- migrant
- out-migrant
- settler
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Millions of immigrants came to America from Europe in the 19th century. The city has a large immigrant population.
Recent Examples on the Web Not bad for an immigrant from Moldova who got her real estate license at age 23. —
Christopher Cameron, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Jan. 2023 The plan focuses on security, with no mention of Dreamers or a path to citizenship for any undocumented immigrant. —Dallas News, 13 Dec. 2022 Fittingly for an immigrant, many of his works dealt with the theme of translation and transformation. —Clay Risen, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Nov. 2022 Fittingly for an immigrant, many of his works dealt with the theme of translation and transformation. —Clay Risen, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2022 Ramírez shares the story of her struggles and successes as a first-generation immigrant navigating her way through college at UC San Diego. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2022 For me, the journey to follow in these footsteps began as a first generation immigrant, when my sharpest memory of home lay beneath my feet. —Elizabeth Agyemang, Time, 10 Nov. 2022 Ayoub Tabri, 25, was sentenced Monday to 364 days behind bars -- less time than he’s already served in custody, and short enough to avoid triggering deportation proceedings for the Moroccan immigrant. —Fox News, 19 July 2022 Also, as a first-generation immigrant and a parent of a young child, starting a bootstrapped business in the pandemic was far from easy. —Soulaima Gourani, Forbes, 19 May 2022 See More
Christopher Cameron, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Jan. 2023 The plan focuses on security, with no mention of Dreamers or a path to citizenship for any undocumented immigrant. —Dallas News, 13 Dec. 2022 Fittingly for an immigrant, many of his works dealt with the theme of translation and transformation. —Clay Risen, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Nov. 2022 Fittingly for an immigrant, many of his works dealt with the theme of translation and transformation. —Clay Risen, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2022 Ramírez shares the story of her struggles and successes as a first-generation immigrant navigating her way through college at UC San Diego. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2022 For me, the journey to follow in these footsteps began as a first generation immigrant, when my sharpest memory of home lay beneath my feet. —Elizabeth Agyemang, Time, 10 Nov. 2022 Ayoub Tabri, 25, was sentenced Monday to 364 days behind bars -- less time than he’s already served in custody, and short enough to avoid triggering deportation proceedings for the Moroccan immigrant. —Fox News, 19 July 2022 Also, as a first-generation immigrant and a parent of a young child, starting a bootstrapped business in the pandemic was far from easy. —Soulaima Gourani, Forbes, 19 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1789, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing immigrant
Kids Definition
immigrant
noun im·mi·grant ˈim-i-grənt
1
: a person who comes to a country to live there
2
: a plant or animal that becomes established in an area where it did not occur previously
immigrant adjective
immigrants
noun
as in migrants
one that leaves one place to settle in another America was founded by immigrants and they have been its lifeblood ever since Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- migrants
- emigrants
- refugees
- settlers
- émigrés
- emigrés
- incomers
- foreigners
- aliens
- in-migrants
- colonists
- out-migrants
- expatriates
- pilgrims
- deportees
- noncitizens
- evacuees
- repatriates
- newcomers
- pioneers
- exiles
- defectors
- nonnatives
- squatters
- relocatees
- migrators
- trekkers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- citizens
- nonimmigrants
- residents
- natives
- inhabitants
- nationals
- aborigines
- habitants