inmigrant
B2Neutral, formal and informal contexts; common in news, legal, academic, and everyday discourse.
Definition
Meaning
A person who comes to a foreign country with the intention of settling there permanently.
An individual who moves to a new country to live, typically for work, family reunification, or safety, and who may or may not have obtained legal permission or citizenship.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to the person from the perspective of the destination country. Often part of the pair immigrant/emigrant (where one emigrates FROM a country and immigrates TO a country). Can be a legal or sociological term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Usage patterns in political and media discourse may vary slightly in frequency and contextual connotations.
Connotations
In both varieties, can carry neutral, positive (seeking opportunity), or negative (political controversy over resources/legality) connotations depending heavily on context.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties due to global migration topics.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
immigrant from [country]immigrant to [country]immigrant in [country]immigrant worker/family/communityVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The immigrant dream”
- “Land of immigrants (esp. US)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to immigrant labour, talent, or entrepreneurship.
Academic
Used in sociology, demography, political science, and history to discuss migration patterns, integration, and policy.
Everyday
Talking about neighbours, colleagues, or community members who were born elsewhere.
Technical
In legal contexts, refers to specific statuses (e.g., 'lawful permanent resident').
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- They are part of a large immigrant community in London.
- The report studied immigrant children's educational outcomes.
American English
- The city has a rich immigrant history.
- Immigrant visas can be difficult to obtain.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is an immigrant from Poland.
- Many immigrants live in this city.
- My grandfather was an immigrant who came here after the war.
- The government has a policy to help new immigrants learn the language.
- The debate focused on the rights of undocumented immigrants.
- Economic immigrants often seek better job opportunities abroad.
- The novel explores the complex identity struggles of a second-generation immigrant.
- Assimilation policies for immigrants have been a contentious political issue for decades.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone saying 'I'M IN a GRANT country' -> I'm in (immigrated to) a new country (perhaps with a study/work grant).
Conceptual Metaphor
FLOW (a flow/stream/tide of immigrants), PLANT (roots, uprooted), JOURNEY (path to citizenship).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'эмигрант' (emigrant). 'Иммигрант' is correct but ensure context is TO the country in question.
- Avoid using 'мигрант' (migrant) as a direct 1:1 synonym if the permanent settlement aspect is key.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'inmigrant' or 'imigrant'.
- Confusing 'immigrant' (incoming) with 'emigrant' (outgoing).
- Using interchangeably with 'refugee' or 'asylum seeker' without noting legal distinctions.
Practice
Quiz
Which word describes a person who leaves their country to settle in another?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
An 'immigrant' specifically moves to settle permanently in a new country. A 'migrant' is a broader term for someone who moves, often for work, and may not intend to settle permanently.
It is widely used but considered offensive or inaccurate by some. More neutral terms like 'undocumented immigrant' or 'unauthorised migrant' are often preferred in formal and respectful discourse.
No, the verb form is 'immigrate'. 'Immigrant' is only a noun (and sometimes an attributive adjective, as in 'immigrant community').
No. An immigrant is someone who has moved to a new country. They may be a permanent resident, a naturalised citizen, or still in the process of obtaining legal status.