refugee

American  

[ref-yoo-jee, ref-yoo-jee] / ˌrɛf yʊˈdʒi, ˈrɛf yʊˌdʒi /

noun

1. a person who flees for refuge or safety, especially to a foreign country, as in time of political upheaval, war, etc.

2. political refugee.

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refugee British  

/ ˌrɛfjʊˈdʒiː /

noun

1. 1. a person who has fled from some danger or problem, esp political persecution

      refugees from Rwanda

   2. ( as modifier )

      a refugee camp

      a refugee problem

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Other Word Forms

• prorefugee adjective
• refugeeism noun

Etymology

Origin of refugee

First recorded in 1675–85; from French réfugié “taken refuge,” past participle of réfugier “to take refuge”; equivalent to refuge + -ee

Example Sentences

The crossing was also closed to Afghan refugees.

From BBC

The initiative has brought together local families, including those from Syrian and Afghan refugee backgrounds, for regular creative workshops led by artist Nicky Arscott.

From BBC

In 2024, he was jailed for 18 months after admitting contempt of court by repeating false claims against a Syrian refugee.

From BBC

According to the UN refugee agency, "there are no formal procedures for asylum seekers to apply for refugee status" in the country.

From Barron's

There, Chinese users and the self-declared TikTok refugees taught each other Mandarin and English, exchanged recipes and swapped notes on daily life in their respective countries.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alien
• displaced person
• emigrant
• evacuee
• exile
• expatriate
• foreigner