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Definition of colonist

colonist

/ˈkɑːlənɪst/
col · o · nist
Plural:colonists
•
Adjective:colonial
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colonist Lexical Profile

colonist Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A settler in or inhabitant of a colony, or a person who helps found a new settlement in a distant territory.

Example

"The early colonists faced harsh winters and food shortages during their first years on the coast."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

colonialist
colonially
colonic
colonist
colonization
colonize
colonizer

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 18th century from 'colony' plus the agent suffix '-ist', ultimately tracing back to the Latin 'colonus', meaning 'farmer, cultivator, or settler in a new land' (from 'colere', to cultivate or inhabit).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Colonist. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/colonist
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