alien
alien Lexical Profile
alien Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to or originating from a hypothetical or fictional being from another world.
"The movie depicts an ancient alien civilization visiting Earth thousands of years ago."
Belonging to a foreign country, nation, or culture; unfamiliar and strange.
"The explorers found themselves in an alien landscape of jagged volcanic rock."
Inconsistent with or repugnant to one's nature, beliefs, or accustomed experience (usually followed by 'to').
"Deceit and manipulation were completely alien to her honest nature."
• noun
A hypothetical or fictional intelligent being from a planet other than Earth.
"The science fiction novel tells the story of a peaceful alien stranded on Earth."
A foreigner, especially one who is not a naturalized citizen of the country where they are living.
"Under the new statute, every resident alien was required to register with the local authorities."
A plant or animal species introduced to a habitat where it does not naturally occur.
"Conservationists worked to remove the invasive alien before it could crowd out native wildflowers."
• verb
To transfer the ownership of property or a legal right to another person or entity (used chiefly in law).
"The original landowner was legally prohibited from aliening the estate outside the family."
To cause someone to become estranged, indifferent, or hostile (now rare or archaic).
"His harsh decrees gradually aliened the affections of his most loyal supporters."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'alien' remains a standard legal and statutory term for a non-citizen resident, it is increasingly avoided in everyday and journalistic contexts in favor of 'non-citizen' or 'foreign national' due to its dehumanizing connotations.
• Rhymes for alien
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 14th century from Old French 'alien', from Latin 'alienus' meaning 'belonging to another, strange, or foreign', a derivative of 'alius' meaning 'other'.