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Definition of refugee

refugee

/ˌrɛfjʊˈdʒiː/
ref · u · gee
Plural:refugees
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refugee Lexical Profile

refugee Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who has been forced to leave their country or home in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Example

"The humanitarian organization provided shelter and medical aid to every refugee arriving at the border."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In international law and formal usage, 'refugee' specifically denotes a person forced to flee across national borders due to persecution or conflict, whereas 'migrant' is a broader term that includes people moving voluntarily for economic or educational reasons.

• Rhymes for refugee

• Nearby Words

refrigerator
refuel
refuge
refugee
refund
refundability
refundable

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 17th century from the French word 'réfugié' (past participle of 'se réfugier', meaning 'to take refuge'), originally used to describe French Protestant Huguenots who fled France following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685.

Cite this Entry

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