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.

personae non gratae plural

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.

---

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

---

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.”

---

Etymology

Origin of persona non grata

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

She said her husband has become persona non grata — “canceled,” in her words — and that the allegations will continue to cast a shade over his career “even if he’s exonerated.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, is refusing to leave Beirut despite Lebanon’s foreign ministry declaring him persona non grata.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

And once the game began, Kiffin was persona non grata.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 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

The other members of the group became persona non grata one by one.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady