Exile — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈeg-ˌzī(-ə)l/ ex·ile

Meaning & Definition of Exile

Exile (noun)

  1. the state or a period of forced absence from one's country or home
  2. the state or a period of voluntary absence from one's country or home
  3. a person who is in exile

Exile (verb)

  1. to banish or expel from one's own country or home

Exile (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the forced removal from a homeland

    "the exile of French settlers from Nova Scotia resulted in the birth of the Cajun community in the U.S."

    similar: banishment, deportation, displacement, expatriation, expulsion, relegation
    related: ostracism, extradition, diaspora, dispersion, scattering, emigration, migration, evacuation, transportation, dispossession, ejection, ouster
    near: repatriation, return, arrival, entry, immigration

  2. a person forced to emigrate for political reasons

    "after being overthrown in a coup, the dictator spent the remainder of his life as an exile in a string of less-than-welcoming countries"

    similar: deportee, émigré, evacuee, expat (chiefly British), expatriate, refugee
    related: alien, fugitive, castoff, outcast, pariah, loyalist, patriot

Exile (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to force to leave a country

    "with their conquest of the Moors complete, Ferdinand and Isabella next exiled the Jews from Spain"

    similar: banish, deport, displace, expatriate, relegate, transport
    related: cast out, dismiss, eject, eliminate, evict, exclude, expel, expulse, kick out, oust, run out, throw out, excommunicate, ostracize, reject, repudiate, spurn, dispossess
    near: naturalize, repatriate, accept, admit, receive, take in, entertain, harbor, house, shelter

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Exile

The most common words with a similar meaning to Exile:

Chiefly British: expat
banishment, deportation, displacement, expatriation, expulsion, relegation, deportee, émigré, evacuee, expatriate, refugee, banish, deport, displace, relegate, transport

Related Words for Exile

ostracism, extradition, diaspora, dispersion, scattering, emigration, migration, evacuation, transportation, dispossession, ejection, ouster, alien, fugitive, castoff, outcast, pariah, loyalist, patriot, cast out, dismiss, eject, eliminate, evict, exclude, expel, expulse, kick out, oust, run out

Near Antonyms of Exile

repatriation, return, arrival, entry, immigration, naturalize, repatriate, accept, admit, receive, take in, entertain, harbor, house, shelter

Word Forms of Exile

Inflections: exiled, exiling

Derived words: exilic (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Exile

Middle English exil, from Anglo-French essil, exil, from Latin exilium, from exul, exsul an exile

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Exile

Words & Phrases Containing Exile

tax exile

Frequently Asked Questions about Exile

What does "Exile" mean?

"Exile" means the state or a period of forced absence from one's country or home. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the state or a period of forced absence from one's country or home. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Exile"?

Other words for "Exile" include banishment, deportation, displacement, expatriation, expulsion, relegation, deportee and émigré. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Exile" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Exile"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Exile". Common alternatives include banishment, deportation, displacement, expatriation, expulsion, relegation, deportee, émigré, evacuee and expat.

How do you use "Exile" in a sentence?

Examples of "Exile" in a sentence: "the exile of French settlers from Nova Scotia resulted in the birth of the Cajun community in the U.S."; "after being overthrown in a coup, the dictator spent the remainder of his life as an exile in a string of less-than-welcoming countries"; "with their conquest of the Moors complete, Ferdinand and Isabella next exiled the Jews from Spain".

Is "Exile" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Exile" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Exile" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Exile" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Exile"?

"Exile" is pronounced /ˈeg-ˌzī(-ə)l/ and divided into syllables as ex·ile.

What is the origin of the word "Exile"?

"Exile" comes from Middle English exil, from Anglo-French essil, exil, from Latin exilium, from exul, exsul an exile. First known use: 14th century.