fugitive

[fyoo-ji-tiv]

noun

1. a person who is fleeing, as from prosecution, intolerable circumstances, etc.; a runaway.

   a fugitive from justice;

   a fugitive from a dictatorial regime.

adjective

1. having taken flight, or run away.

   The Fugitive Slave Act was part of the Compromise of 1850 that led the United States even closer to civil war.

2. fleeting; transitory; elusive.

   fugitive thoughts that could not be formulated.

   Synonyms: temporary, brief, flying, passing, transient
   Antonyms: permanent

3. Fine Arts.,  changing color as a result of exposure to light and chemical substances present in the atmosphere, in other pigments, or in the medium.

4. dealing with subjects of passing interest, as writings; ephemeral.

   fugitive essays.

   Synonyms: light, trivial, evanescent, momentary
   Antonyms: lasting

5. wandering, roving, or vagabond.

   a fugitive carnival.

fugitive

/ ˈfjuːdʒɪtɪv /

noun

1. a person who flees

2. a thing that is elusive or fleeting

adjective

1. fleeing, esp from arrest or pursuit

2. not permanent; fleeting; transient

3. moving or roving about

Other Word Forms

• fugitively adverb
• fugitivity noun
• fugitiveness noun
• nonfugitive adjective
• nonfugitively adverb
• nonfugitiveness noun
• unfugitive adjective
• unfugitively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fugitive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin fugitīvus “fleeing,” equivalent to fugit(us) (past participle of fugere “to flee”) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive ); replacing Middle English fugitif, from Old French

Word History and Origins

Origin of fugitive¹

C14: from Latin fugitīvus fleeing away, from fugere to take flight, run away

Example Sentences

Another is in state custody and expected to be handed over to federal authorities, and one remains a fugitive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It brought to an abrupt end a months-long, audacious escape attempt by one of the world's most wanted fugitives.

Read more on BBC

We recall when Bill Clinton, as he was leaving office, was roundly criticized for pardoning fugitive financier Marc Rich after Rich’s ex-wife made large donations to Democrats and the Clinton library.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Bangladeshi prosecution lawyers demanded on Thursday that fugitive ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina receive the death penalty in her trial for crimes against humanity.

Read more on Barron's

Bangladeshi prosecution lawyers demanded on Thursday that fugitive ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina receive the death penalty in her trial for crimes against humanity.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• deserter 
• escapee 
• exile 
• outcast 
• outlaw 
• refugee