enemy alien: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Legal, Historical
Quick answer
What does “enemy alien” mean?
A person who is a citizen of a country that is officially at war with the country in which they are living or temporarily present.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is a citizen of a country that is officially at war with the country in which they are living or temporarily present.
In international and domestic law, a legal designation for a foreign national whose country is in a state of armed conflict with the host nation, often leading to specific legal restrictions on movement, property, and rights.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The concept and term are identical in both legal systems, heavily influenced by 20th-century wartime legislation.
Connotations
Strong historical connotations from WWII, associated with internment, suspicion, and the suspension of normal rights. The term itself is considered archaic in peacetime.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern everyday language. Primarily found in historical texts, legal documents, or discussions of wartime policies.
Grammar
How to Use “enemy alien” in a Sentence
[Government/State] declared [person/group] enemy aliens.[Person] was classified/designated an enemy alien.The property of enemy aliens was seized.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enemy alien” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government moved to enemy-alien certain categories of residents.
- He was enemy-aliened under the new regulations.
American English
- The authorities sought to enemy-alien individuals with specific passports.
- She was enemy-aliened after the declaration of war.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard; no adverbial form in use]
American English
- [Not standard; no adverbial form in use]
adjective
British English
- The enemy-alien status brought severe restrictions.
- They faced enemy-alien property laws.
American English
- The enemy-alien designation was applied broadly.
- He was subject to enemy-alien registration requirements.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Historical reference to asset seizure or business restrictions.
Academic
Used in historical, legal, political science, and sociological studies discussing wartime civil liberties, internment, and nationality law.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would only appear in historical documentaries, novels, or conversations about wartime history.
Technical
Specific term in international humanitarian law and domestic emergency/war powers legislation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “enemy alien”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “enemy alien”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enemy alien”
- Using it to describe any foreigner one dislikes (incorrect – requires a formal state of war).
- Confusing it with 'illegal alien' or 'resident alien' (different legal categories).
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'an enemy-alien person' – awkward/non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A prisoner of war (POW) is a captured combatant. An enemy alien is typically a civilian non-combatant living in a country at war with their homeland.
It is legally possible if a formal state of war is declared between nations, but such declarations are rare in modern conflicts. The term is largely historical.
Historically, they faced restrictions like curfews, travel bans, confiscation of property, registration requirements, and sometimes internment in camps.
Not necessarily. The term is a legal status based on nationality, not personal sentiment. Many enemy aliens were peaceful residents opposed to their home country's government.
A person who is a citizen of a country that is officially at war with the country in which they are living or temporarily present.
Enemy alien is usually formal, legal, historical in register.
Enemy alien: in British English it is pronounced /ˈen.ə.mi ˈeɪ.li.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɛn.ə.mi ˈeɪ.li.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not commonly used in idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'alien' as 'foreigner'. An ENEMY ALIEN is a foreigner from a country that is an ENEMY.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATION IS A PERSON (at war with another person), with its citizens as extensions of its body. An enemy alien is thus a 'limb' of the enemy within one's own territory.
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario would the term 'enemy alien' be LEGALLY accurate?