Refugee - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A refugee is a person forced to flee their home due to war, persecution, or violence, seeking safety in another country. They often lack legal protection and basic resources.
Definition:
A person forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or disaster.
Synonyms:
asylum seeker, displaced person, exile, evacuee
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
citizen, native, resident
Common Collocations:
refugee crisis, refugee camp, political refugee, war refugee
Derivatives:
refugees (plural), refugeeism (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "refugee" for someone fleeing danger; avoid conflating with "immigrant," which implies voluntary relocation.
Common Phrases:
refugee status, welcome refugees, refugee rights
Etymology:
From French "réfugié," past participle of "réfugier" (to take shelter), derived from Latin "refugium" (a place of safety).
Examples:
- 1. The war forced many families to become refugees overnight.
- 2. She works at a camp helping refugees find shelter and food.
- 3. The documentary highlights the struggles of Syrian refugees in Europe.
- 4. He was granted asylum after living as a refugee for years.