expatriate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "expatriate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective or noun used to describe a person who is temporarily or permanently living in a country other than their native country. Example sentence: The expatriate community in Dubai is growing larger every year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"50 Golden Years," is the headline and certainly there are signs that some expatriate Britons in the United States at least are doing their best to celebrate the golden jubilee, however far from home they may be.

The Guardian

Washington's first Muslim congressman has publicly rebuked the Obama administration's terrorism strategy during a White House summit on countering violent extremism, warning that recent moves to prevent money transfers to Somalia risked radicalising its large expatriate community in the US.

The Guardian

As an Irish expatriate living abroad, I cannot vote, yet dearly hope it passes and Ireland becomes a more equal place.

The Guardian

Purpose-built communities such as those catering to expatriate workers in the Gulf states are another type.

The Guardian

The manager of Tiens-Uganda, a Chinese expatriate, and the company's global headquarters in Tianjin also declined to comment.

The Guardian

Set in a small Tuscan town it puts before us not only the expatriate protagonists but also the town itself, its history, its local residents and their life histories, all interspersed with scholarly digressions.

The Guardian - Books

My father is an expatriate American; he fell in love with New Zealand in his youth and never went home.

The Guardian - Books

She married him after her return from Paris, where she spent several months in 1949 continuing her studies at the École des Beaux-Arts and, like so many expatriate painters, working in the studio of André Lhote, an unsuccessful cubist but successful teacher.

The Guardian - Arts

Protests planned around King Hamad's visit and Friday's expatriate conference in London are designed to hit back over recent PR gains by the Bahraini authorities.

The Guardian

It has staged a wide range of in-house and visiting productions both from home – by, for example, expatriate actors living in Germany – and abroad.

The Guardian

Waugh's satirical novel about the movie industry, the British expatriate community in Hollywood, the pet funeral business, and the sometimes ridiculous connections between the three was recommended by McSee, CarlRusso and JakeStockwell, who said: Evelyn Waugh snarls at the hypocrisy and ridiculousness of the American Dream and the Brits who try to maintain the pomp of their diminished homeland.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "expatriate", consider the specific context and whether a more precise term like "overseas worker" or "foreign resident" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "expatriate" as a catch-all term for anyone working abroad. The term often implies a certain level of privilege or temporary status, which may not accurately reflect the experiences of all foreign workers.

Linguistic Context

The word "expatriate" functions as a noun referring to a person living outside their native country, or as an adjective describing something related to such individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "expatriate" is a versatile word functioning as a noun, adjective, or verb, denoting someone living outside their native country. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and common across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and formal communications. While broadly applicable, it's crucial to consider nuanced alternatives such as "foreign resident" or "overseas worker" for specific situations. Remember that "expatriate" often implies a temporary or privileged status, differing from the more permanent connotation of "immigrant". The provided examples, sourced from authoritative publications like The Economist and The Guardian, illustrate the word's diverse applications in describing global professionals and communities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreign resident

Focuses on the residency status in a foreign country.

overseas worker

Emphasizes the work aspect of living abroad.

immigrant worker

Highlights the intention of settling more permanently.

international assignee

Describes individuals on a specific assignment from their company.

global nomad

Emphasizes a lifestyle of frequent relocation across countries.

transnational employee

Focuses on the employee's position working across national borders.

citizen abroad

Highlights that the person maintains citizenship while living abroad.

migrant worker

Highlights the labor component of moving to another country.

émigré

Focuses on leaving one's country for political or ideological reasons.

resident alien

Describes non-citizens residing in a country legally.

FAQs

How can I use "expatriate" in a sentence?

You can use "expatriate" to describe someone living outside their native country, as in, "The "expatriate community" in Bangkok is quite large", or as an adjective, "She is an "expatriate worker" in Dubai".

What's a good alternative to the word "expatriate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "foreign resident", "overseas worker", or "immigrant worker".

Is it correct to use "expatriate" to describe someone who has permanently left their country?

While "expatriate" can refer to someone living abroad temporarily or permanently, it often implies a sense of temporary relocation. If someone has permanently left their country, terms like "immigrant" or "émigré" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between an "expatriate" and an "immigrant"?

An "expatriate" typically refers to someone living abroad temporarily for work or other purposes, often with the intention of returning home. An "immigrant", on the other hand, typically moves to a new country with the intention of settling there permanently.