emigrant

1 of 2

noun

em·​i·​grant ˈe-mi-grənt 

1

: one who emigrates

2

: a migrant plant or animal

emigrant

2 of 2

adjective

: departing or having departed from a country to settle elsewhere

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an emigrant and an immigrant?

Immigrant and emigrant both refer to a person leaving their own country for another. However, immigrant (and its verb form immigrate) typically stresses the country someone is going to, while emigrant (and its verb emigrate) stresses the country someone is coming from. One is an immigrant to a new country, and an emigrant from an old one. See here for more on the difference between emigrant and immigrant.

Is emigrant a noun or a verb?

Emigrant is a noun, meaning "one who leaves one's place of residence or country to live elsewhere." It is synonymous with émigré, a word that is especially used of a person who has left for political reasons. The verb form of the word is emigrate.

Does emigrant imply illegality?

Both emigrant and immigrant refer to a person who has moved from one country to another, usually in permanent or semi-permanent fashion. Neither word by itself has any connotations of illegality.

Synonyms of emigrant

Noun

• immigrant
• migrant
• settler
• refugee

Examples of emigrant in a Sentence

Noun

Millions of European emigrants came to America in the 19th century.

a city with emigrants from many lands

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Perhaps as important as Morocco’s investment in nurturing domestic talent has been its improved efforts to scout and court eligible international talent —often the descendants of emigrants who have learned the game in world-class competitive environs elsewhere. —Dan Greene, New Yorker, 12 June 2026

Between 1854 and 1891, the fort protected emigrants, mail coaches, freight wagons, and travelers along the Trans-Pecos stretch of the San Antonio–El Paso Road and Chihuahua Trail. —Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 10 June 2026

Adjective

The bridge thereby connected Chahār Bāgh avenue to the New Julfa neighborhood, an economically important district housing emigrant artisans from Armenia. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

Chimney Rock, Nebraska History buffs and runners alike will appreciate Chimney Rock, a site mentioned in more emigrant diaries than any other feature along the Oregon Trail. —Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1747, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

emigrant

noun

em·​i·​grant

ˈem-i-grənt

1

: one that emigrates

2

: a migrant plant or animal

emigrant adjective