English · Word Candidate

refugee

/ˈɹɛfjʊd͡ʒiː/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: refugees · refugeeing · refugeed

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A person seeking refuge (as for shelter or protection), especially in a foreign country, out of fear or prospect of political, religious persecution, war, natural disaster, etc.

Noun

Examples

In 1962 a special law had to be passed to permit the immigration of several thousand Chinese refugees who had escaped from Communist China to Hong Kong.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A person who is fleeing from justice, punishment deemed righteous, etc.; a runaway, a fugitive.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To convey (slaves) away from the advance of the federal forces.

VerbRegister: US

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “refugee” mean?

A person seeking refuge (as for shelter or protection), especially in a foreign country, out of fear or prospect of political, religious persecution, war, natural disaster, etc.

Is “refugee” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.