Refugee

Definition

A refugee is a person who has been forced to flee their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌrɛfjuˈdʒiː/
• Respelling: REF-yoo-jee (with "REF" as in "refer," "yoo" as in "you," and "jee" as in "jeep")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌrɛfjuːˈdʒiː/
• Respelling: REF-yoo-jee (similar to American English, with "REF" as in "refer," "yoo" as in "you," and "jee" as in "jeep")

In both dialects, "refugee" is pronounced with the stress on the last syllable, "jee." The pronunciation is consistent across both American and British English, clearly articulating each component of the word with emphasis on the "jee" syllable.

Etymology

The word "refugee" stems from the term "refuge", which denotes a place of shelter or protection. Originating from the Old French "refugie", it pertains to someone driven from their homeland. Historically, the term was first specifically applied to French Huguenots who fled to other countries during persecution in the 17th century.

Derivatives

• Refugeehood
• Refugeeism
• Refugee-camp
• Refugee-dom
• Refugee-ship

Synonyms

• Exile
• Displaced person
• Evacuee

Antonyms

• Citizen
• National
• Resident

Usage

"Refugee" is a term that describes individuals forced to leave their native countries under threat of persecution, war, or environmental disasters. Given the geopolitical dynamics, it's a significant term in international human rights discussions.

Related Terms

• Asylum seeker
• Internally displaced person (IDP)
• Migrant
• Stateless person
• Emigrant

Detailed Definition

Noun

• A person who has been forced to flee their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster and seeks refuge in foreign lands. Such individuals typically cannot return home safely.
• Example: The civil war resulted in millions of refugees seeking shelter in neighboring countries.

• An individual who voluntarily leaves their country in pursuit of a better life due to severe economic challenges but is not considered a refugee under international law.
• Example: While many label them as refugees, they are actually economic migrants seeking better employment opportunities abroad.