immigrant

noun

im·mi·grant ˈi-mə-grənt

Synonyms of immigrant next

: one that immigrates: such as

: a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence

: a plant or animal that becomes established in an area where it was previously unknown

immigrant adjective

Did you know?

immigrant or emigrant?

Both of these words come from the Latin migrare (“to move from one place to another”), and both have definitions in English that hew closely to their etymological roots, but there is a definite difference between how you would use each one. Emigrant is used in reference to the country that has been left (“an emigrant from Canada”), while immigrant is used in reference the country that one is destined for (“an immigrant to Spain”).

Examples of immigrant in a Sentence

Millions of immigrants came to America from Europe in the 19th century. The city has a large immigrant population.

Recent Examples on the Web

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Migrant workers represent a significant portion of those employed in the construction sector: according to the most recent American Community Survey, the share of immigrants in construction was 25.5 percent in 2023, up from 24.7 percent the year before—the highest percentage on record. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025 Still, polls have shown rising voter unease with migration and crimes committed by immigrants. —

Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2025 Much of the film, however, explores Vital’s experience as a Spanish immigrant who moved from southern Extremadura to Barcelona, escaping gross poverty and rural oppression under dictator Francisco Franco. —

John Hopewell, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025 Most Popular Most Popular Florida troopers will work with Homeland Security to help deport immigrants, DeSantis announces I-4 to look more like scene from ‘The Jetsons’? —

Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for immigrant