emigrate
B2Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
To leave one's own country or region to settle permanently in another.
The act of departing one's native land with the intention of establishing a new permanent residence elsewhere. It implies a formal, permanent, or long-term move across national borders.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Emigrate is used from the perspective of the country being left (e.g., 'She emigrated from Poland'). The focus is on the point of departure. The counterpart 'immigrate' focuses on the destination country (e.g., 'She immigrated to Canada'). 'Migrate' is a broader term that can apply to people, animals, or seasonal movement and is less permanent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Both varieties use the term correctly. However, American English, due to its history as a nation of immigrants, may use 'immigrate' and the noun 'immigrant' more frequently in public discourse than 'emigrate/emigrant'.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. It can carry connotations of seeking better opportunities, fleeing hardship, or starting a new life. In political contexts, it can be emotionally charged.
Frequency
More common in formal, historical, or demographic contexts than in casual conversation in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] emigrates from [Country of Origin] to [Country of Destination].[Subject] emigrated in [Year/Period].[Subject] + emigrate + (Adv/PP).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To vote with one's feet (idiomatically related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in HR contexts regarding talent moving to another country: 'The skilled workforce began to emigrate due to better salaries abroad.'
Academic
Common in sociology, history, and demography: 'The study analyses patterns of those who emigrated during the 19th century.'
Everyday
Used in personal life stories: 'My grandparents emigrated from Italy after the war.'
Technical
Used in legal and governmental contexts regarding citizenship and residency: 'The application process to emigrate requires extensive documentation.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They decided to emigrate from the UK to Australia for a warmer climate.
- Many skilled workers emigrated following the economic changes.
- She emigrated in the 1980s and never returned.
American English
- Her ancestors emigrated from Ireland during the potato famine.
- The new policy caused many professionals to consider emigrating.
- He officially emigrated last spring, finalizing his citizenship renouncement.
adjective
British English
- The emigrant population (Note: derivative form).
American English
- Their emigrant ancestors (Note: derivative form).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My friend will emigrate to Canada.
- They emigrated from Syria.
- Many young people are choosing to emigrate to find better jobs.
- My family emigrated from Poland twenty years ago.
- Facing political persecution, the journalist was forced to emigrate from her home country.
- The economic crisis triggered a wave of citizens deciding to emigrate.
- The brain drain phenomenon refers to highly educated professionals who emigrate, depriving their home countries of skilled labor.
- Historical records show that over two million people emigrated from that region during the decade of conflict.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'E' for EXIT. You EMigrate to EXIT your country.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY / MOVING TO A NEW CHAPTER. The country is a container one leaves.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'мигрировать' (to migrate), which is broader. 'Emigrate' is specifically 'эмигрировать' (to emigrate, to leave one's country). The false friend 'иммигрировать' (to immigrate) refers to entering a new country.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'emigrate' without the preposition 'from' (e.g., 'He emigrated Italy' ❌ vs. 'He emigrated from Italy' ✅).
- Confusing 'emigrate' (leave) with 'immigrate' (enter).
- Using 'migrate' for permanent human movement when 'emigrate/immigrate' is more precise.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'emigrate' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Emigrate' means to leave one's country (focus on the origin). 'Immigrate' means to enter a new country to live there (focus on the destination). The same person does both: She emigrated from Japan and immigrated to Brazil.
No, 'emigrate' implies a permanent or long-term move to settle in a new country. For temporary moves, use 'move abroad,' 'relocate temporarily,' or 'work overseas.'
No. 'Migrate' is broader. It can refer to animals (birds migrate), seasonal workers, or populations moving within a country. 'Emigrate' is specifically for people leaving their country permanently.
The person is an 'emigrant' (one who leaves). The process or act is 'emigration.'