Expatriate Meaning and Definition
Expatriate
Pronunciation
/ɛksˈpætriɪt/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A person who lives outside their native country, often for work, education, or personal reasons, and may retain ties to their home country while adapting to their new environment.
Examples
- Many expatriates in Dubai work in the finance industry.
- The couple became expatriates in Europe after retiring from their jobs.
Synonyms
- Emigrant
- Expat
Antonyms
- Native
- Local
Additional Information
Expatriates often face challenges adapting to new cultures, languages, and customs. However, they can also benefit from new experiences, professional opportunities, and personal growth. Many expatriates join online communities and expat organizations to connect with others who share similar experiences.
Expatriates may choose to live abroad for various reasons, including work assignments, education, retirement, or personal relationships. They may also relocate to escape political or economic instability, war, or natural disasters in their home country.
Etymology
The term “expatriate” originates from the Latin words “ex” meaning “out of” and “patria” meaning “country”.
Usage Notes
Expatriate can be used as a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it refers to a person living outside their native country. As an adjective, it describes something related to or characteristic of expatriates, such as an expatriate community or expatriate lifestyle.
Cultural References
The term “expatriate” has been featured in various works of literature, films, and television shows, often portraying the challenges and benefits of living abroad.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Expatriate can be used in idiomatic expressions, such as “expatriate lifestyle” or “expatriate community”, to describe the experiences and social networks of people living abroad.
Related Words or Phrases
Related words and phrases include “emigrant”, “immigrant”, “foreigner”, “alien”, and “global nomad”.
Collocations
Common collocations with the term “expatriate” include “expatriate community”, “expatriate lifestyle”, “expatriate workers”, and “expatriate families”.
Frequency of Use
The term “expatriate” is relatively common in modern language, particularly in contexts related to global mobility, international business, and cultural exchange.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the term “expatriate” include “ex-patriate”, “expatrate”, and “exspatriate”.