- alien
- [[t]e͟ɪliən[/t]]
aliens1) ADJ: usu ADJ n (disapproval) Alien means belonging to a different country, race, or group, usually one you do not like or are frightened of. [FORMAL]
He said they were opposed to what he described as the presence of alien forces in the region.
Syn:2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n You use alien to describe something that seems strange and perhaps frightening, because it is not part of your normal experience.His work offers an insight into an alien culture.
Syn:3) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ to n If something is alien to you or to your normal feelings or behaviour, it is not the way you would normally feel or behave. [FORMAL]Such an attitude is alien to most businessmen.
Syn:4) N-COUNT An alien is someone who is not a legal citizen of the country in which they live. [LEGAL or, FORMAL]Both women had hired illegal aliens for child care...
When war broke out, he was interned as an enemy alien.
Syn:5) N-COUNT In science fiction, an alien is a creature from outer space.
English dictionary. 2008.