persona non grata

American  

[per-soh-nah nohn grah-tah, per-soh-nuh non grah-tuh, grey-, grat-uh] / pɛrˈsoʊ nɑ noʊn ˈgrɑ tɑ, pərˈsoʊ nə nɒn ˈgrɑ tə, ˈgreɪ-, ˈgræt ə /

noun

Latin.

plural

personae non gratae

1. a person who is not welcome.

   He has become persona non grata in our club since his angry outburst.

2. a diplomatic representative unacceptable to an accrediting government.

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persona non grata British  

/ pɜːˈsəʊnə nɒn ˈɡrɑːtə /

noun

1. an unacceptable or unwelcome person

2. a diplomatic or consular officer who is not acceptable to the government or sovereign to whom he or she is accredited

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persona non grata Cultural  

1. A person who is no longer favored or welcome: “After my angry words with the manager, I am persona non grata at the video store.” From Latin, meaning “an unacceptable person.”

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Etymology

Origin of persona non grata

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Beirut declared Mohammad Reza Shibani persona non grata, but he’s still there, at his embassy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

"He is persona non grata, and that's not because he did anything wrong ... that's because of the world we live in," she said.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

However, her direct and outspoken approach has also led to controversy, with enraged officials in Honduras once wanting to declare her persona non grata.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

Japan lodged a protest over the since-removed social media post, and Takaichi's ruling party passed a resolution calling for the envoy to be declared persona non grata.

From Barron's • Nov. 15, 2025

Favored lackey one day, persona non grata the next.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix