What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
emigrant
Example
My great-grandparents were emigrants from Italy. [emigrants: plural noun]
Example
She emigrated from Russia to the United States in search of better opportunities. [emigrated: past tense verb]
immigrant
Example
My neighbor is an immigrant from Mexico. [immigrant: noun]
Example
He immigrated to Canada to start a new life. [immigrated: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Immigrant is more commonly used than emigrant in everyday language. Immigrant is a more versatile term and covers a wider range of contexts, while emigrant is less common and is often used in more formal or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between emigrant and immigrant?
Both emigrant and immigrant can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, emigrant may be considered more formal due to its less frequent use in everyday language.
