What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
migrant
Example
The migrant workers travel from farm to farm to pick crops. [migrant: noun]
Example
The monarch butterfly is a migrant species that travels thousands of miles each year. [migrant: adjective]
transient
Example
The motel is popular among transients who need a place to stay for a night or two. [transient: noun]
Example
The storm caused only transient damage to the area. [transient: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Migrant is a more common word than transient in everyday language, especially when referring to people or animals. Transient is more commonly used to describe temporary or short-lived phenomena or conditions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between migrant and transient?
Both migrant and transient are relatively formal words, but migrant is more commonly used in academic or professional contexts, while transient is more commonly used in scientific or technical contexts.
