exile

[eg-zahyl, ek-sahyl]

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.

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

/ 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

verb

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

Exile

²

/ ˈɛɡzaɪl, ˈɛksaɪl /

noun

1. another name for Babylonian captivity

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of exile¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of exile¹

C13: from Latin exsilium banishment, from exsul banished person; perhaps related to Greek alasthai to wander

Example Sentences

The leftist leader has purged officers accused of conspiring against him, jailing and sending them into exile.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But there are others — both in exile and in Maduro’s administration — who would like to lead the country.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Experienced officers were forced into exile or fired to ensure that only Maduro loyalists remained.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Almost all Russian opposition figures are now in prison or in exile.

Read more on Barron's

Syrian sources said Sharaa would ask for Assad to be extradited so the exiled leader could face trial for war crimes.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• banish 
• displace 
• drive out www.thesaurus.com
• evacuate 
• expel 
• extradite 
• ostracize 
• oust 
• outlaw 
• relegate