persona non grata

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseformal

   A person who is no longer welcome in a particular place or group, such as a diplomat whom the host government orders to leave.

   Grammar: Usually follows be or become, or comes after declare: he was declared persona non grata.

   Patterns

   • be persona non grata
   • declare someone persona non grata
   • become persona non grata

   After the scandal, the ambassador was declared persona non grata and sent home within days.

   He became persona non grata at the club after he insulted the manager.

   The journalist was persona non grata in the country after publishing the report.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasefigurativehumorous

   Someone who is avoided or disliked by a group, often in a looser, more humorous way.

   Grammar: Used figuratively and often with a light tone: I was persona non grata at home after I broke the vase.

   Patterns

   • be persona non grata with someone
   • be persona non grata at something

   I was persona non grata in the kitchen after eating the cake meant for the party.

   The referee was persona non grata among the home fans.

Word forms

Common combinations

declared persona non grata

Three diplomats were declared persona non grata by the host government.

become persona non grata

After the leak, she became persona non grata in the company.

treated as persona non grata

He was treated as persona non grata at the family gathering.

persona non grata in

The critic is persona non grata in several theaters.

officially persona non grata

The envoy was officially persona non grata by Friday.

Synonyms and how they differ

outcast

Outcast describes someone rejected by society or a group in a lasting way, whereas persona non grata often covers a specific, formal rejection.

pariah

Pariah suggests a person shunned by nearly everyone, and carries a stronger sense of contempt.

unwelcome guest

Unwelcome guest is plain and informal, and applies to a visitor, while persona non grata can apply to anyone barred from a place.

exile

Exile refers to someone forced to live away from their home country, which is not the same as being unwelcome in a particular place.

Opposites

Word family

persona grata phrase

a person who is welcome, especially to a government

persona noun

the public character someone presents to others

grata adjective

Latin for pleasing or welcome, found only in the fixed phrase

Commonly confused: persona non grata or non grata? persona non grata or persona?

Practice

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