returnee

American  

[ri-tur-nee, -tur-nee] / rɪ tɜrˈni, -ˈtɜr ni /

noun

1. a person who has returned, as from travels or a long absence.

2. a person returning from overseas duty in the armed forces.

---

returnee British  

/ rɪˈtɜːˌniː /

noun

1. a person who returns to his native country, esp after war service

---

Etymology

Origin of returnee

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; return + -ee

Example Sentences

"It's an indescribable feeling, thank God. What can I say? My two young children didn't recognise me, but thank God. I hope it will be alright", Yusef Abu Fahma, another returnee, told AFP.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

The 6-foot-2 McCalister, 14, has been getting playing time behind returnee Brady Bretthauer since graduating from middle school.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2025

There was a stark difference one young returnee told the BBC between the "rosy picture" immigration agents painted and the rough reality of immigrant life in Toronto and Vancouver.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2024

Then, all of a sudden, you’ve got nothing beyond injury returnee Grubauer and the aforementioned Driedger standing between the playoff wannabe Kraken and a puck armageddon inside their net.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2024

He had been deported from England, after all, so perhaps he would not consider himself a returnee like them.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie