alien
a creature from another planet
A creature or person that comes from another planet, not from Earth.
an alien [from another planet]
- In the movie, an alien lands in a small town and tries to make friends with the local children.
- Scientists still do not know whether intelligent aliens exist anywhere in the universe.
- The book describes a peaceful alien who is shocked by human violence.
- They claimed they had been taken onto an alien spaceship in the middle of the night.
- The video game lets you play as an alien exploring different galaxies.
- Do you think aliens are real?
- In this story, a kind alien visits Earth.
- The boy draws a green alien with big eyes.
- People in the town are afraid of the alien.
- She watches many films about aliens and space.
very strange or unfamiliar
Very new and strange to someone; not part of their normal life, ideas, or feelings.
alien to [someone/something]
- The idea of working long hours without extra pay is completely alien to her.
- His direct way of speaking felt alien to a company culture that avoided conflict.
- Growing up in the countryside, city life was alien to him at first.
- These values are alien to our tradition of open discussion.
- The customs of the region were fascinating but initially alien to the visitors.
- The food was good, but the taste was alien to me.
- This way of teaching is alien to many students.
- The rules here are alien to what I know.
- Living alone was alien to her after many years with family.
- His style is alien to our team.
non-citizen living in a country
A person who lives in a country but is not a citizen of that country, used mainly in law and official writing.
an alien [with/without legal status]
- Under the new law, any alien convicted of a serious crime may be deported.
- The form asks whether you are a citizen or an alien of the state.
- He entered the country as an alien and later became a naturalized citizen.
- Resident alien status allows foreign nationals to work and pay taxes.
- The court must decide if the alien has a legal right to remain in the country.
- In some laws, the word "alien" means a person from another country.
- The document says he is an alien, not a citizen.
- An alien can sometimes become a citizen after many years.
- The office helps an alien understand the rules.
- She works in an office that gives advice to aliens about visas.
from another country or culture
From another country or culture; not native to that place.
alien [culture/customs/species/law]
- The government tried to limit what it saw as alien cultural influences.
- The novel explores the experience of living in an alien environment far from home.
- Many local plants are threatened by alien species introduced from overseas.
- The settlers viewed the land as empty, ignoring its significance to the alien tribe.
- Alien laws were imposed on the region after the conquest.
- They moved to a country with an alien culture.
- The farmer worries about alien plants in his field.
- These rules are alien to local tradition.
- She studies how alien species change the forest.
- The story is about a boy in an alien land.
from another planet
From another planet, not from Earth.
alien [life/form/species/world]
- Scientists are searching for signs of alien life on distant planets.
- The film shows an alien world covered in blue forests and floating mountains.
- They studied the strange biology of the alien species found on the asteroid.
- The astronaut dreamed of meeting alien civilizations among the stars.
- The probe sent back images of an alien landscape unlike anything on Earth.
- We do not know if alien life exists.
- The movie is about an alien world.
- They think a small signal may be from alien life.
- She writes a story about an alien city in space.
- The robot lands on an alien planet.
- Base: alien
- Base: alien
- Plural: aliens
alien invasion
1attack on Earth by aliens
An attack on Earth by creatures from another planet, especially in movies, books, and games.
- The movie is about an alien invasion that starts in a small coastal town.
- He loves games that let you defend the planet from an alien invasion.
- The comic tells the story of a failed alien invasion of Earth.
alien life
1life beyond Earth
Life that exists somewhere in the universe other than on Earth.
- Scientists debate how likely alien life is in our galaxy.
- The telescope was built to search for signs of alien life.
- Many people enjoy stories that imagine alien life visiting Earth.
alien to [someone/something]
1completely unfamiliar or not fitting
To be very strange or not normal for a person, group, or situation.
- The idea of strict time schedules was alien to the villagers.
- Honest discussion is alien to a culture of fear.
- Fast internet was alien to many remote communities until recently.
illegal alien
1non-citizen without legal status
A non‑citizen who lives in a country without official permission, used mainly in law and politics; often seen as negative or offensive in everyday speech.
- The new bill changes how the government treats an illegal alien who has lived in the country for many years.
- Many organizations avoid using the term "illegal alien" because of its negative tone.
- The report estimated the number of illegal aliens working in the region.
resident alien
1non-citizen with legal residence
A person who is not a citizen of a country but has official permission to live there, especially in tax and immigration law.
- As a resident alien, she must file a special tax form each year.
- The application explains the rights and duties of a resident alien.
- He changed his status from visitor to resident alien after getting a work visa.