exile

American  

[eg-zahyl, ek-sahyl] / ˈɛg zaɪl, ˈɛk saɪl /

noun

1. expulsion from one's native land by authoritative decree.

2. the fact or state of expulsion from one's native land by authoritative decree.

   She had to live in exile.

3. a person banished from their native land.

4. prolonged separation from one's country or home, such as by force of circumstances.

   Many will suffer wartime exile.

5. anyone separated from their country or home voluntarily or by force of circumstances.

6. the Exile, the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, 597–538 b.c.

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verb (used with object)

exiled, exiling

1. to expel or banish (a person) from their country; expatriate.

   Synonyms:

   deport, eject, evict

2. to separate from country, home, etc..

   Disagreements exiled him from his family.

   Synonyms:

   deport, eject, evict

exile ¹ British  

/ ˈɛksaɪl, ɛɡˈzɪlɪk, ɛkˈsɪlɪk, ˈɛɡzaɪl /

noun

1. a prolonged, usually enforced absence from one's home or country; banishment

2. the expulsion of a person from his native land by official decree

3. a person banished or living away from his home or country; expatriate

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verb

1. to expel from home or country, esp by official decree as a punishment; banish

Exile ² British  

/ ˈɛɡzaɪl, ˈɛksaɪl /

noun

1. another name for Babylonian captivity

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Other Word Forms

• exilable adjective
• exiler noun
• exilic adjective
• quasi-exiled adjective
• unexiled adjective

Etymology

Origin of exile

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English exil “banishment,” from Latin ex(s)ilium, equivalent to exsul “banished person” + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

"But I think we understand the dynamics, and what we have to do is adjust to reality," said Guevara, who works for the movement in exile in the United States.

From Barron's

After being ousted he went into exile in neighbouring Togo and said in a message published on social media that he wished his successor every success.

From BBC

"They could never return to Cuba as long as Castro remained in power. That made them exiles in their hearts, and in mine."

From Barron's

He was exiled to the archive in the bowels of the Lubyanka, Moscow’s infamous KGB headquarters.

From The Wall Street Journal

While results were not always good, players remained onside - at least those who were not in the 'bomb squad' exiled at the start of pre-season training.

From BBC

Related Words

• banish
• displace
• drive out
• evacuate
• expel
• extradite
• ostracize
• oust
• outlaw
• relegate