alien

1 of 3

adjective

ˈā-lē-ən

ˈāl-yən

: belonging or relating to another person, place, or thing : strange

an alien environment

: relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government : foreign

alien residents

: exotic sense 1

alien plants

: 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

: differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility

ideas alien to democracy

alienly adverb

alienness

ˈā-lē-ən-nəs How to pronounce alien (audio)

ˈāl-yən-nəs

noun

alien

2 of 3

noun

: 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

… she whom we had deemed so … pious, at last died an alien from the church …

Delia Salter Bacon

: 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

: extraterrestrial

a movie about an invasion of Earth by monstrous aliens

: exotic sense 1

Russian thistle, kudzu, and other aliens

alien

3 of 3

verb

aliened; aliening; aliens

transitive verb

: alienate, estrange

: to transfer the title of (property)

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

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 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

Kids Definition

alien 1 of 2

adjective

ˈā-lē-ən

ˈāl-yən

: different from what is familiar

Keeping their hands clean was an alien idea to the young boys.

: from another country and not a citizen of the country of residence : foreign

an alien resident

: from somewhere other than the planet earth

an alien spaceship

alien

2 of 2

noun

: a resident who was born elsewhere and is not a citizen of the country in which he or she now lives

: a being that comes from somewhere other than the planet earth

Legal Definition

alien 1 of 3

adjective

ˈā-lē-ən, ˈāl-yən How to pronounce alien (audio)

: relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government

alien

2 of 3

noun

: 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

alien

3 of 3

transitive verb

: alienate

alien 1 of 3

adjective

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

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 3

verb

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

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 3

noun

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

单词	alien
释义	alien 1 of 3 adjective 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 2 : differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility ideas alien to democracy alienly adverb alienness ˈā-lē-ən-nəs ˈāl-yən-nəs noun alien 2 of 3 noun 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 … she whom we had deemed so … pious, at last died an alien from the church … 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 3 verb 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 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 illegal alien illegal alien/immigrant nonresident alien anti-alien illegal alien illegal alien/immigrant nonresident alien anti-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 2 noun 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 3 noun : 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 alien 3 of 3 transitive verb : alienate History and Etymology for alien Adjective Latin alienus not one's own, foreign 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 See More alien 2 of 3 verb 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 See More 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 3 noun 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 See More 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
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alien

adjective

noun

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing alien

Kids Definition

adjective

noun

Legal Definition

adjective

noun

transitive verb

adjective

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser