denizen

noun

den·​i·​zen ˈde-nə-zən 

plural denizens

1

: inhabitant

denizens of the forest

2

government : a person allowed residence in a foreign country

3

: someone who frequents a place

nightclub denizens

—often used figuratively

… daylilies, purple loosestrife, and other roadside denizens now firmly rooted in Maine …

—Rebecca Sawyer-Fay

Synonyms of denizen

• lover
• fan
• familiar
• patron
• rat
• habitué
• guest
• frequenter

Examples of denizen in a Sentence

one of those muscle-bound denizens of the gym

the polar bear is an iconic denizen of the snowy Arctic

Recent Examples on the Web

The hip denizens of LA's east side would surely perish without it. —Alanna Bennett, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026

Like the denizens of many mid-sized Bay Area suburbs, Livermore residents wanted to have a lively, attractive and walkable downtown. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 4 June 2026

Located on the street level of the Harbor Boulevard complex, the new shop gives dessert-loving denizens another place to pick up the quivering treat. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 26 May 2026

Fennell has deep Sloane roots as the daughter of Theo Fennell, jeweler to the posh denizens of West London whose designs have been worn by Sloanes — or wannabes — for decades. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English denizeine, from Anglo-French denisein, denzein inhabitant, inner part, inner, from denz within, from Late Latin deintus, from Latin de- + intus within — more at ent-

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

denizen

noun

den·​i·​zen ˈden-ə-zən 

: inhabitant

especially : a person, animal, or plant found in a particular region or environment