What does expatriate mean?
An expatriate is a person who lives outside their native country, usually by choice rather than necessity. The word can function as a noun, naming the person themselves, or as a verb meaning to withdraw from one's homeland or to force someone into exile. In modern English, 'expatriate' most commonly appears in discussions of global mobility: professionals relocating for multinational employers, retirees settling overseas, writers and artists drawn to foreign capitals. The abbreviated form 'expat' has become widespread in informal speech and journalism. While broadly neutral in definition, the term has acquired certain connotations in popular usage, sometimes suggesting a privileged Westerner abroad, in contrast to 'immigrant', which tends to describe those moving to settle more permanently. Its roots lie in Latin ex-, 'out of', and patria, 'fatherland', giving the word an enduring sense of distance from one's place of origin that remains central to how we understand life abroad today.
A person who lives outside their native country, typically having relocated there for professional, personal, or lifestyle reasons.
"The company offered a generous relocation allowance to attract expatriates to its Tokyo office."
Often shortened informally to 'expat'; sometimes used pejoratively to suggest a wealthy Westerner living abroad.
(transitive) To send (someone) into exile or banish them from their native country; (reflexive) to withdraw oneself from one's homeland.
"The regime threatened to expatriate dissidents who continued to criticise the government."
Relating to or characteristic of expatriates; residing away from one's native country.
"They enjoyed a comfortable expatriate lifestyle in Hong Kong."
Standard pluralisation; used when referring to multiple people living abroad from their native countries.
"Thousands of expatriates gathered at the embassy for the annual national day reception."
The word 'expatriate' literally means 'out of the fatherland' — from Latin ex- ('out of') and patria ('homeland'), so every expatriate is etymologically speaking, out of their father's country.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of expatriate
'Expatriate' derives from the Latin ex-, meaning 'out of', and patria, meaning 'native land' or 'fatherland'. The verb form entered English in the early 17th century, initially carrying the sense of sending someone into exile or withdrawing from one's homeland. The noun sense — a person voluntarily living abroad — developed later and became the dominant usage, particularly from the late 19th and 20th centuries onward as international travel and employment expanded. It shares its root with related words such as 'compatriot' and 'repatriate', all drawing on the Latin notion of one's fatherland.
Related word forms
How expatriate is actually used
'Expatriate' carries a somewhat more formal register than its colloquial shortening 'expat'. In journalistic use it sometimes implies privilege — a Western professional living comfortably abroad — though the term is neutral and applies to anyone living outside their native country.
Easily confused with expatriate
An emigrant is someone who leaves their home country permanently, while an expatriate may live abroad temporarily or without formally renouncing their citizenship.