stateless

American  

[steyt-lis] / ˈsteɪt lɪs /

adjective

1. lacking nationality.

2. Finance. of, relating to, or consisting of any currency deposited in banks outside the country of original issue.

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stateless British  

/ ˈsteɪtlɪs /

adjective

1. without nationality

   stateless persons

2. without a state or states

3. without ceremonial dignity

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Other Word Forms

• statelessness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of stateless

First recorded in 1600–10; state + -less

Example Sentences

The US Defense Department said Tuesday that US forces had intercepted and boarded a "stateless sanctioned" vessel.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

He told jurors on Tuesday that he was born into the stateless Arabian Bedoon tribe, on the border between Iraq and Kuwait, and no human rights or passport in Kuwait.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Another important PSI tactic, one particularly applicable to ghost-fleet tankers, is the concept of stateless vessels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

After years of feeling stateless, he’s finally planted roots.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2026

One of the ways he thought the deportation might be prevented, or at least delayed, was for him to become stateless by legally renouncing his citizenship.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady