alien

a-li-en · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A being from another planet; an extraterrestrial.

  2. 2.

    Belonging to another country; foreign.

  3. 3.

    [law]A foreigner; a person who is not a citizen of the country in which they live.

  4. 4.

    Unfamiliar, strange, or disturbingly different.

  5. 5.

    A person who feels like an outsider or does not belong.

  6. 6.

    Relating to extraterrestrial beings.

Forms

plural: aliens

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    illegal alien — A person residing in a country without legal authorization (considered offensive by some).
  • •
    alien abduction — The claimed kidnapping of people by extraterrestrials.
  • •
    alien invasion — An attack by beings from another planet.
  • •
    resident alien — A foreigner who has permission to live in a country.

Related words

Antonyms: citizen, local, native
See also: extraterrestrial, foreigner, immigrant, outsider
Synonyms: extraterrestrial, foreigner, outsider, stranger

Etymology

From Latin alienus ("belonging to another, foreign"), from alius ("other"). The meaning referring to extraterrestrial beings developed in the 20th century with the rise of science fiction.