What does remigrate mean?
Remigrate is a verb meaning to migrate again, most often to return to a place that one previously left. It emphasizes the repeated nature of the move rather than simply the act of relocation. A person might remigrate to their country of origin after working abroad, or remigrate temporarily for a new job. The term is more common in formal discussions of migration, immigration policy, residency, and expatriate life than in everyday conversation. Because it can involve a return journey, remigrate often carries the implication of going back to a familiar place, although it can also mean relocating again for a different destination. Its prefix re- makes the repeated movement explicit, distinguishing it from the more general verb migrate.
verbTo migrate again, especially to return to a country or place from which one previously emigrated.
- To move or relocate to another place again, especially to return to a place previously left.
"After living abroad for several years, she decided to remigrate to her native country."
"Many retired workers remigrate to coastal towns after years in the city."
"The government issued visas allowing skilled workers to remigrate temporarily."
Remigrate turns departure into a homecoming: it describes the journey of moving again, especially after an earlier migration.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does remigrate come from?
Remigrate is formed in English from the prefix re-, meaning again, and migrate. Migrate comes through French from Latin migrāre, meaning to move from one place to another. The same Latin root also underlies related words such as migration, immigrant, and emigrant.
Related word forms
How remigrate is actually used
The word is relatively uncommon and formal. It is often used in contexts involving migration, residency, or returning to a former home country.
Easily confused with remigrate
Migrate means to move from one place to another, whereas remigrate means to migrate again, often returning to a previous home.