English

immigrate

gb/ˈɪmɪɡɹˌeɪt/ us/ˈɪmɪɡɹˌeɪt/
B2 English
Senses
0 senses
Verb B2 action
1

move to live in a country

To move to another country to live there permanently.

Usage pattern: [someone] immigrates (to/into) [country/place] (from [country/place])
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse immigrate (move into a country) with emigrate (leave a country). Also, you usually say “immigrate to/into [country]” rather than “immigrate in [country].”
Synonyms
move (More general; does not specifically mean moving to another country.) | relocate (More neutral and general; often used for moving within a country as well.) | settle (Emphasizes establishing a life in the new place.)
Antonyms
emigrate (Means to leave your own country to live in another (opposite viewpoint).)
Collocations
immigrate to [country] |immigrate from [country] |immigrate legally |immigrate illegally |immigrate permanently |immigrate with your family |immigrate as a child |immigrate for work |immigrate to the United States |immigrate to Canada
Themes
migration |society |law |government
Examples
  • Her grandparents immigrated to the United States in the 1950s.
  • Many people immigrate to find safer living conditions and better jobs.
  • He immigrated from Brazil to Portugal when he was twenty.
Learner examples
  • My aunt immigrated to Canada.
  • They want to immigrate for work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
immigrate
IPA
GB/ˈɪmɪɡɹˌeɪt/
US/ˈɪmɪɡɹˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
im - mig - rate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (im)
Word forms
Verb
  • Base: immigrate
  • 3rd Person Singular: immigrates
  • Present Participle: immigrating
  • Past: immigrated
Word family
Forms
immigrates verb immigrating verb immigrated verb
Core family
immigration noun B1 immigrant noun B1
Related words
emigrate verb B2 emigration noun emigrant noun
Expressions

No expressions linked to this entry yet.

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