noun / adjective

immigrant

IM-ih-grunt/ˈɪmɪɡrənt/

A person who moves to live permanently in another country, or relating to such people.

The new immigrant plans to make Canada her permanent home.

An adult newcomer unpacks two suitcases in a modest new home while a local neighbor welcomes her; a closed passport and old travel trunk imply international permanent relocation, no flags or text.

Etymology

imLatininto

+migrLatinmove

+antLatinperforming the action

“Into” plus “move” describes a person moving in, viewed from the country of settlement. The noun may have been modeled on French immigrant, with the participial form identifying the person doing the moving.

In context

James Talarico14:19

he was an immigrant from Italy whose family saw firsthand the dangers of mixing church and state he settled in the Texas country

James Talarico Delivers Sermon Against Christian Nationalism

More examples

Many immigrants build lasting friendships in their new country.
The library offers language classes for immigrant families.
She writes about her experience as an immigrant.

Forms

immigrant · immigrants

immigrate verb — To settle permanently in another country.

immigration noun — The act of settling in another country.

Similar words

emigrant: Emphasizes the country someone leaves, rather than the destination.
migrant: May move within a country or settle only temporarily.