migrant
migrant — noun
1. someone who leaves their home region or country and settles in a new place, usua
someone who leaves their home region or country and settles in a new place, usually because they are looking for work or a better quality of life
Tunde found seasonal work as a migrant on a farm in California.
migrant as a countable noun for a worker
The number of migrants arriving from rural areas has increased sharply.
number of + migrants + from [place]
Many migrants send part of their wages home to support their families.
Isabela met other migrants at the shelter who were also looking for jobs.
The new policy aims to improve housing for agricultural migrants.
- immigrant
emphasises permanent settlement in the new country, while migrant can be temporary
- expatriate
usually implies a professional or lifestyle choice with means to return; less about economic necessity
- economic migrant
a specific type of migrant who moves primarily for work or better pay
- native
a person born in a particular place, as opposed to someone who moved there
文法句型
migrant + from [place]
number of + migrants
migrant + verb (plural agreement)
用法筆記
Distinguish from refugee: a refugee flees persecution or danger, whereas a migrant chooses to move, usually for economic reasons. In news reporting, the distinction can be politically sensitive and varies by context.
常見錯誤
2. a creature that travels regularly between different habitats at particular times
a creature that travels regularly between different habitats at particular times of year — for example birds flying to warmer regions in autumn or whales swimming to breeding grounds in winter
The Arctic tern is a remarkable migrant that flies from pole to pole each year.
remarkable + migrant — adjective + migrant for emphasis
These swallows are summer migrants that arrive in our village every spring to nest.
summer migrant — seasonal modifier
Scientists track the routes of animal migrants using tiny GPS devices attached to their bodies.
The nature reserve provides a safe resting place for migrants travelling between continents.
- migratory animal
more formal or scientific than migrant, preferred in academic writing
- traveler
too vague for scientific use; lacks the seasonal-cycle meaning
- resident
an animal that stays in one habitat year-round
文法句型
summer/winter + migrant
migrant + verb (travel, breed, nest)
用法筆記
Frequently modified by seasonal, summer, winter, or long-distance. Common in ornithology, marine biology, and conservation contexts. Typically refers to birds, butterflies, whales, sea turtles, and some fish.
常見錯誤
migrant — adjective
1. describing a person who moves to another area to find employment — for example,
describing a person who moves to another area to find employment — for example, a worker who follows seasonal harvests or takes temporary jobs in different cities
Migrant farmworkers help harvest crops across the country each season.
migrant farmworkers — common compound
The construction company hired migrant labourers for the six-month project.
migrant labourers — occupation collocation
Ayesha's parents were migrant workers who moved between different cities for jobs.
The report calls for better legal protections for migrant domestic workers.
- settled
describes people who live permanently in one place
文法句型
migrant + [occupation noun]
migrant + [group noun]
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun that names an occupation (worker, labourer, farmhand) or a group (population, community, family). Does not appear after linking verbs like be or seem in standard English.
常見錯誤
2. describing an animal that changes its location with the seasons, such as birds t
describing an animal that changes its location with the seasons, such as birds that spend winter in a warmer climate or butterflies that travel thousands of kilometres to breed
Migrant birds arrive in the wetlands every spring to build nests and raise their young.
migrant birds — most common compound for this sense
The coastal island is an important stop for many migrant species on their long journeys.
migrant species — scientific collocation
Climate change is disrupting the patterns of migrant animals around the world.
The park attracts birdwatchers who come each autumn to see the migrant flocks pass through.
- resident
describes animals that stay in a habitat year-round
文法句型
migrant + [animal/bird/species/group noun]
用法筆記
Restricted to attributive position before nouns naming animals or groups (birds, species, herds, populations). Not used predicatively (*these birds are migrant). For predicative use, prefer migratory.