expatriate
C1formal
Definition
Meaning
A person who lives outside their native country, often long-term or permanently.
1) As a verb: to withdraw (oneself) from residence in or allegiance to one's native country. 2) As an adjective: describing such a person or status.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a voluntary, professional, or affluent status compared to broader terms like 'emigrant' or 'immigrant'. Can be used self-referentially ('expats') by communities abroad.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and pronunciation differences. More common in British English to refer to British citizens living in former colonies or sunny retirement destinations. In American English, often used in corporate/business contexts for employees stationed overseas.
Connotations
UK: Often associated with retirees, professionals in finance, or those in former Commonwealth nations. Can carry a slight class connotation. US: Strongly associated with corporate assignments, 'expat packages', and skilled professionals.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English. The clipped form 'expat' is very common in both varieties in informal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
expatriate (oneself) from [country]expatriate to [country]be expatriated by [company/government]live/work as an expatriate in [country]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “live the expat life”
- “go expat”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to employees sent by their company to work in a foreign subsidiary, often with a compensation package.
Academic
Used in sociology, anthropology, and migration studies to discuss transnational communities and identity.
Everyday
Common in travel blogs, international community forums, and conversations about people living abroad.
Technical
In tax and legal contexts, refers to someone who is a non-resident for tax purposes or has renounced citizenship.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The coastal town is popular with British expatriates.
- As an expatriate, she missed certain foods from home.
American English
- The conference was attended by many American expatriates from Asia.
- He's been an expatriate for over a decade.
verb
British English
- He chose to expatriate himself for tax reasons.
- The writer was effectively expatriated by the hostile political climate.
American English
- The company will expatriate the manager to their Singapore office.
- After the scandal, he was forced to expatriate.
adjective
British English
- She joined the expatriate community in the Algarve.
- He receives an expatriate allowance from his firm.
American English
- The expatriate employees have a separate benefits package.
- An expatriate advisory service helps with relocation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Many expatriates live in Dubai.
- He is an expatriate from Canada.
- She works as an expatriate for a large bank in Frankfurt.
- The expatriate community here is very friendly.
- The firm offered him an expatriate package, including housing and school fees.
- After years as an expatriate, he felt a sense of cultural dislocation.
- The decision to expatriate assets requires careful legal consideration.
- Her novel explores the nuanced identity of the modern corporate expatriate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'EXit my PATRIAted country' -> EXPATRIATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIVING ABROAD IS A SEPARATE STATE (like being in an enclave or bubble within another country).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'эмигрант' (emigrant), which is broader. 'Expatriate' often implies a more privileged or temporary professional status.
- The Russian 'экспат' is a direct loanword but used mainly in business/media contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'expatriate' and 'immigrant' interchangeably (loaded with socio-economic connotations).
- Pronouncing the noun/adjective with a short 'a' (/ˈpæt/) in American English (the standard AmE is /ˈpeɪt/).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is LEAST likely to be a synonym for 'expatriate' in a corporate context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both involve living outside one's birth country, 'expatriate' often (but not always) implies a degree of privilege, a professional or corporate context, and sometimes a perceived temporariness. 'Immigrant' is a more neutral, legal term implying permanent relocation.
In both British and American English, the primary stress differs. For the noun/adjective, primary stress is on the first or second syllable (/ˌeksˈpæt.ri.eɪt/ or /ˌeksˈpeɪ.tri.eɪt/). For the verb, the primary stress is typically on the second syllable (/ekˈspeɪ.tri.eɪt/ or /ekˈspeɪ.tri.eɪt/).
Yes. It means to send someone or oneself out of their native country to live elsewhere. It can also mean to renounce one's allegiance to one's native country, though this is rarer.
It can be contentious. Critics argue it's often used for white Westerners working abroad, while people from other regions doing the same are called 'immigrants', carrying different connotations. It's important to be aware of this potential bias in usage.