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Expat - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

An expat, short for expatriate, is a person who lives outside their native country, often temporarily for work or personal reasons. Expats typically maintain ties to their home country while adapting to a new culture.

expat

/ɛkˈspæt/ /ɛkˈspæt/

Definition:

A person living outside their native country, often temporarily for work or other reasons.

Synonyms:

emigrant, migrant, foreign resident

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

native, local

Common Collocations:

expat community, expat life, expat worker

Derivatives:

expatriate (verb), expatriation

Usage Tips:

Use "expat" to describe someone living abroad, often implying a professional or voluntary move rather than forced migration.

Common Phrases:

expat bubble, expat lifestyle, global expat

Etymology:

Short for "expatriate," from Latin "ex-" (out of) and "patria" (native country).

Examples:

  • 1. Many expats in Dubai work in finance or tech industries.
  • 2. She joined an expat group to meet people from her home country.
  • 3. His blog shares tips for new expats moving to Japan.
  • 4. The company offers support services for its expat employees overseas.
  • 5. They became friends with other expats at the local international school.

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