Migrant Definition, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：person who relocates (migrant)

migrant 🔊

/ˈmaɪɡrənt/

A person who moves to live in a different place, often to find a job or a better life. They can move within their own country or to another country.

Migrant person with backpack at train station looking at departure board

person who relocates 🔊

➕

/ˈpɜːrsən huː ˌriːloʊˈkeɪts/

An individual who moves from one place to another, often within a country or across borders, typically seeking employment, better living conditions, or safety.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'migrare' (to move) + '-ant' (one who).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a 'migrant' ant carrying its home to a new location – always on the move.

📖 Example

After leaving her small town, migrant Sarah found a tech job in the city and now contributes to the local economy. 🔊 After leaving her small town, migrant Sarah found a tech job in the city and now contributes to the local economy.

🔗 Collocations

economic migrant – A person who moves to another country for better economic opportunities.

migrant worker – A person who works in a different country or region from their home, often temporarily.

migrant crisis – A situation where large numbers of people move across borders, causing social or political challenges.

🔄 Synonyms

immigrant (n.) – A person who comes to a country to live there permanently.

expatriate (n.) – A person living outside their native country, often for work.

sojourner (n.) – A person who stays temporarily in a place.

🚫 Antonyms

native (n.) – A person born in a particular place or country.

local (n.) – A person who lives in the area being discussed.

resident (n.) – A person who lives permanently in a place.

🌱 Derivatives

migrate (v.) – To move from one place to another, especially to find work or better living conditions.

migration (n.) – The act or process of moving from one place to another.

migratory (adj.) – Relating to or characterized by migration; tending to move.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'migrare' (to move). Used in English since the 1600s for people changing residence. Today central in debates about global labor and refugee movements.