alien

A living creature from another planet or somewhere beyond Earth.

• The alien came from another planet.
• In the film, aliens land near a school.
• Would you be afraid to meet an alien?

Similar words: extraterrestrial

Common phrases: friendly alien, alien invasion, alien from space, alien life

A person living in a country whose citizenship they do not have.

• The form describes him as a resident alien.
• Aliens must meet the stated visa requirements.
• The law distinguishes citizens from aliens.

Similar words: foreign national, noncitizen

Opposites: citizen

Common phrases: resident alien, registered alien, alien registration

A person, animal, plant, or thing that comes from outside a particular group or area.

• The newcomer was treated as an alien.
• This plant is an alien in the local forest.
• Even after years there, she felt like an alien among the villagers.

Similar words: outsider, stranger

Opposites: native

Common phrases: alien among us, alien in something

Very strange or unfamiliar, or completely different from what someone knows or accepts.

• Everything in the city felt alien.
• Such behaviour is alien to our values.
• The customs seemed completely alien to the visitors.

How to use it: alien to someone/something (The idea of retirement was alien to him.)

Similar words: unfamiliar, strange, foreign

Opposites: familiar

Common phrases: alien to someone, alien to something, alien environment

From or belonging to another country or its people.

• The sailors arrived on alien shores.
• The law restricted ownership of alien property.
• During the war, some foreign residents were classified as alien enemies.

Similar words: foreign

Opposites: native, domestic

Common phrases: alien shores, alien property, alien enemies