Meaning & use

citizen

noun·Everyday

A person who legally belongs to a particular country and has the rights and duties that come with it.

See it in a sentence

She became a citizen of Canada after living there for six years.

Citizens over eighteen are eligible to vote in the national election.

A note on using this word

Citizen implies full legal membership and rights in a nation, distinct from resident, which only indicates where someone lives.

Words with a similar meaning

nationalresident

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

alienforeigner

Another way to use it

2. noun

An inhabitant of a particular town or city.

As a proud citizen of Boston, he knew every shortcut through downtown.

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