Alien - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT alien /ˈeɪliɪn/ /ˈeɪliɪn/ IPA guide

Other forms: aliens; alienated; aliened; alienly

Something that's alien is different or foreign. In science fiction, space aliens come from other planets.

When we talk about aliens, or things that are alien, we're talking about things and people that are different and strange to us — like an alien from outer space. Some people refer to undocumented immigrants as "aliens," but nowadays, the term is often considered dehumanizing. Besides people, experiences can be alien. If you've never owned a cat, then having a cat is alien to you. You can also alienate people by making them feel weird, disconnected, and alone — like an alien.

Definitions of alien

adjective being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world “alien customs” synonyms: exotic foreign, strange relating to or originating in or characteristic of another place or part of the world
noun a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country synonyms: foreigner, noncitizen, outlander see moresee less types: show 6 types... hide 6 types... au pair a young foreigner who lives with a family in return for doing light housework deportee, exile a person who is expelled from home or country by authority gringo a Latin American (disparaging) term for foreigners (especially Americans and Englishmen) import, importee an imported person brought from a foreign country metic a foreigner who paid a fee to reside in an ancient Greek city au pair girl a foreign girl serving as an au pair type of: traveler, traveller a person who changes location
noun anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found synonyms: stranger, unknown see moresee less types: foreigner, outsider someone who is excluded from or is not a member of a group transalpine one living on or coming from the other side of the Alps from Italy type of: interloper, intruder, trespasser someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
noun a form of life assumed to exist outside the Earth or its atmosphere synonyms: extraterrestrial, extraterrestrial being see moresee less type of: hypothetical creature a creature that has not been observed but is hypothesized to exist
adjective not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something “an economic theory alien to the spirit of capitalism” synonyms: foreign extrinsic not forming an essential part of a thing or arising or originating from the outside
verb transfer property or ownership “The will aliened the property to the heirs” synonyms: alienate see moresee less type of: transfer cause to change ownership
verb arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness synonyms: alienate, disaffect, estrange see moresee less types: drift apart, drift away, lose touch lose personal contact over time wean detach the affections of type of: alter, change, modify cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

Pronunciation US /ˈeɪliɪn/ UK /ˈeɪliɪn/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘alien'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

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