alien
1 of 3adjective
ˈā-lē-ən 
ˈāl-yən
1
a
: belonging or relating to another person, place, or thing : strange
an alien environment
b
: relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government : foreign
alien residents
c
: exotic sense 1
alien plants
d
: coming from another world : extraterrestrial
alien beings
an alien spaceship
When it comes to knowing what alien life forms might be like, we don't have any idea.
Kate Shuster
Kate Shuster2
: differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility
ideas alien to democracy
alienly adverb
alienness
ˈā-lē-ən-nəs
noun ˈāl-yən-nəs
alien
2 of 3noun
1
a
: a person who is not of a particular group or place
aliens seeking asylum in the U.S.
In this way it came to pass that those scattered linen-weavers—emigrants from the town into the country—were to the last regarded as aliens by their rustic neighbours … George Eliot
George Eliot… she whom we had deemed so … pious, at last died an alien from the church … Delia Salter Bacon
Delia Salter Bacon b
: a foreign-born resident who has not been naturalized and is still a subject or citizen of a foreign country
broadly : a foreign-born citizen
2
: extraterrestrial
a movie about an invasion of Earth by monstrous aliens
3
: exotic sense 1
Russian thistle, kudzu, and other aliens
alien
3 of 3verb
aliened; aliening; aliens
transitive verb
1
: alienate, estrange
2
: to transfer the title of (property)
Synonyms
Adjective
- foreign
- nonnative
Verb
- alienate
- disaffect
- disgruntle
- estrange
- sour
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective they were careful to learn of any alien business customs before trying to expand overseas it's completely alien to her nature to wish evil of anyone Noun aliens seeking asylum in the U.S. He claims that he was captured by space aliens. Verb such angry outbursts will rapidly alien any friends you might possibly have left the couple plans to alien the adjoining house lot to their eldest son See More
Recent Examples on the Web Carson Burton, Variety, 15 Aug. 2022 We simply cannot be erased — not even by an alien invasion. Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 26 July 2022 The series, co-created with David Weil, tells the story of an alien invasion through the eyes of five ordinary people. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2022 Loosely based in the video game universe of the same title, the show dramatizes a 26th century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Convenant. Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2022 That included capping off the finale with a clear environmental message, with the alien threat noting that humans are already well on their way to destroying the planet on their own. Brian Lowry, CNN, 17 Feb. 2022 The plot: Two brothers embark on a journey with their father, who is trying to protect them from an alien threat. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 30 Dec. 2021 The film tells the story of a father, Malik (Ahmed), who embarks on a journey with his two sons to protect them from an alien threat. Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Sep. 2021 This page-turning space adventure follows the crew of the Argus, a ship of misfit soldiers standing watch for an alien threat at the very edge of the universe. Sadie Gennis, Vulture, 8 July 2021 Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2022 Imagine a slightly less coy Sally Rooney paired with a highly perceptive alien, with strangely illuminating results. Nathan Deuel, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2022 The character reminded me of a koala bear, which is actually an alien. cleveland, 22 Aug. 2022 My mother is an alien, and the photos hanging on the wall of my new home will show this. Giada Scodellaro, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 Faraday is an alien in a new land, a lizard in a human skin suit. Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2022 Your young colleague isn’t an alien from another planet. Roxane Gay, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2022 The shape of the kids' costume alien heads is a specific shape. Clarissa Cruz, EW.com, 25 July 2022 Creon came on, wearing blue and looking like a combination of high priest, business executive, and space alien. Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 15 July 2022 Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 Neanderthal to alien, and yet strangely well-suited for the modern era. Nick Remsen, CNN, 30 Sep. 2021 These stars and related systems should be priority one for current and future efforts to seek out exoplanets that may bear not only life but perhaps even alien technological civilizations, some astronomers say. Tess Joosse, Scientific American, 1 July 2021 Can alien smog lead us to extraterrestrial civilizations? Whitson Gordon, Wired, 8 Apr. 2021 Can alien smog lead us to extraterrestrial civilizations? Whitson Gordon, Wired, 8 Apr. 2021 Can alien smog lead us to extraterrestrial civilizations? Whitson Gordon, Wired, 8 Apr. 2021 Can alien smog lead us to extraterrestrial civilizations? Whitson Gordon, Wired, 8 Apr. 2021 Can alien smog lead us to extraterrestrial civilizations? Whitson Gordon, Wired, 8 Apr. 2021 See More
Adjective
The film, which now found the alien species ravaging the streets of New York City, wasn’t received as well as the first. Carson Burton, Variety, 15 Aug. 2022 We simply cannot be erased — not even by an alien invasion. Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 26 July 2022 The series, co-created with David Weil, tells the story of an alien invasion through the eyes of five ordinary people. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2022 Loosely based in the video game universe of the same title, the show dramatizes a 26th century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Convenant. Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2022 That included capping off the finale with a clear environmental message, with the alien threat noting that humans are already well on their way to destroying the planet on their own. Brian Lowry, CNN, 17 Feb. 2022 The plot: Two brothers embark on a journey with their father, who is trying to protect them from an alien threat. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 30 Dec. 2021 The film tells the story of a father, Malik (Ahmed), who embarks on a journey with his two sons to protect them from an alien threat. Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Sep. 2021 This page-turning space adventure follows the crew of the Argus, a ship of misfit soldiers standing watch for an alien threat at the very edge of the universe. Sadie Gennis, Vulture, 8 July 2021 Noun
In another snap, a second sketch done by North shows a similar alien-like figure, though the imaginative drawing features three braids on each side of the figure's head, as well as what appears to be a snake-like tongue coming out of its mouth. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2022 Imagine a slightly less coy Sally Rooney paired with a highly perceptive alien, with strangely illuminating results. Nathan Deuel, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2022 The character reminded me of a koala bear, which is actually an alien. cleveland, 22 Aug. 2022 My mother is an alien, and the photos hanging on the wall of my new home will show this. Giada Scodellaro, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 Faraday is an alien in a new land, a lizard in a human skin suit. Washington Post, 22 Apr. 2022 Your young colleague isn’t an alien from another planet. Roxane Gay, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2022 The shape of the kids' costume alien heads is a specific shape. Clarissa Cruz, EW.com, 25 July 2022 Creon came on, wearing blue and looking like a combination of high priest, business executive, and space alien. Mary Norris, The New Yorker, 15 July 2022 Verb
But even that description fails to capture what Yagi is after: those parts of us, precious and possibly hostile, which flower in darkness, disintegrate when described, and can be compared only to alien life-forms. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 Neanderthal to alien, and yet strangely well-suited for the modern era. Nick Remsen, CNN, 30 Sep. 2021 These stars and related systems should be priority one for current and future efforts to seek out exoplanets that may bear not only life but perhaps even alien technological civilizations, some astronomers say. Tess Joosse, Scientific American, 1 July 2021 Can alien smog lead us to extraterrestrial civilizations? Whitson Gordon, Wired, 8 Apr. 2021 Can alien smog lead us to extraterrestrial civilizations? Whitson Gordon, Wired, 8 Apr. 2021 Can alien smog lead us to extraterrestrial civilizations? Whitson Gordon, Wired, 8 Apr. 2021 Can alien smog lead us to extraterrestrial civilizations? Whitson Gordon, Wired, 8 Apr. 2021 Can alien smog lead us to extraterrestrial civilizations? Whitson Gordon, Wired, 8 Apr. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, "foreign," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin aliēnus "not one's own, of others, foreign, strange," derivative of alius "other" (perhaps going back to *aliai-nos, from an adverbialized locative derivative *aliai "elsewhere") — more at else
Noun
Middle English, "foreigner, outsider," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin aliēnus "slave belonging to another person, foreigner, stranger," noun derivative of aliēnus, adjective, "not one's own, foreign" — more at alien entry 1
Verb
Middle English alienen "to transfer or surrender property rights, exclude," borrowed from Anglo-French aliener (Middle French, "to estrange, deprive of reason"), borrowed from Latin alienāre "to transfer (goods, property), lose possession of, render hostile" — more at alienate
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing alien
Kids Definition
alien 1 of 2
adjective
ˈā-lē-ən
ˈāl-yən
1
: different from what is familiar
Keeping their hands clean was an alien idea to the young boys.
2
: from another country and not a citizen of the country of residence : foreign
an alien resident
3
: from somewhere other than the planet earth
an alien spaceship
alien
2 of 2noun
1
: a resident who was born elsewhere and is not a citizen of the country in which he or she now lives
2
: a being that comes from somewhere other than the planet earth
Legal Definition
alien 1 of 3
adjective
ˈā-lē-ən, ˈāl-yən
: relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government
alien
2 of 3noun
: a foreign-born resident who has not been naturalized and is still a subject or citizen of a foreign country
illegal aliens
an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence U.S. Code
U.S. Codealien
3 of 3transitive verb
: alienate
alien 1 of 3
adjective
1
as in foreign
being, relating to, or characteristic of a country other than one's own they were careful to learn of any alien business customs before trying to expand overseas Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- foreign
- international
- imported
- nonnative
- exotic
- multicultural
- external
- introduced
- naturalized
- overseas
- multinational
- transplanted
- nonindigenous
- multilateral
- strange
- bizarre
- multiculti
- foreign-born
- distant
- outlandish
- far-off
- remote
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- domestic
- native
- local
- indigenous
- endemic
- aboriginal
2
as in irrelevant
not being a vital part of or belonging to something it's completely alien to her nature to wish evil of anyone Synonyms & Similar Words
- foreign
- irrelevant
- adventitious
- external
- extrinsic
- accidental
- extraneous
- exterior
- supervenient
- unnecessary
- inapplicable
- immaterial
- insignificant
- outside
- nonessential
- unessential
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inherent
- intrinsic
- innate
- inbred
- internal
- interior
- basic
- congenital
- inborn
- inside
- deep-seated
- essential
- necessary
alien
2 of 3verb
1
as in to sour
to cause to change from friendly or loving to unfriendly or uncaring such angry outbursts will rapidly alien any friends you might possibly have left Synonyms & Similar Words
- sour
- anger
- estrange
- alienate
- infuriate
- disaffect
- outrage
- disgruntle
- annoy
- sever
- enrage
- antagonize
- irritate
- separate
- aggravate
- bother
- divide
- bug
- disappoint
- split
- embitter
- disunite
- incense
- dissociate
- disillusion
- rile
- madden
- unyoke
- roil
- vex
- irk
- sunder
- envenom
- rankle
- nettle
- exasperate
- inflame
- peeve
- enflame
- rile
- pique
- grate
- unlink
- gall
- break up
- uncouple
- disenchant
- chafe
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reconcile
- ingratiate
- placate
- conciliate
- appease
- disarm
- pacify
- endear
- propitiate
- mollify
2
as in to cede
to give over the legal possession or ownership of the couple plans to alien the adjoining house lot to their eldest son Synonyms & Similar Words
- cede
- transfer
- deed
- relinquish
- alienate
- assign
- convey
- bequeath
- loan
- lend
- donate
- lease
- leave
- dispose of
- hand down
- rent
- grant
- make over
- pass (down)
- present
- entrust
- will
- surrender
- move
- transmit
- vest
- turn in
- hand over
- contribute
- bestow
- trust
- turn over
- confer
- commit
- yield
- consign
- release
- pass
- commend
- intrust
- deliver
- let
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- expropriate
alien
3 of 3noun
as in stranger
Synonyms & Similar Words
- stranger
- foreigner
- outsider
- nonresident
- outcast
- nonnative
- outlander
- pariah
- wanderer
- drifter
- transient
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- familiar
- native
- friend
- intimate
- pal
- buddy
- chum
- fellow
- comrade
- acquaintance
- inhabitant
- resident
- partner
- citizen
- companion
- associate
- confidant
- mate
- peer
- colleague
- cohort
- crony
- hearty
- habitant
- hobnobber
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of alien are extraneous, extrinsic, and foreign. While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability.
a practice totally alien to her nature
The synonyms extraneous and alien are sometimes interchangeable, but extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part.
arguments extraneous to the issue
While in some cases nearly identical to alien, extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature.
sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value
The words foreign and alien are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated.
techniques foreign to French cuisine