French word

exil

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛgzil/

Meaning

  • masculine nounexile

Example

Il vit en exil depuis dix ans.

He has been living in exile for ten years.

Illustration for exil (exile)

More examples

Après le coup d'État, il a dû vivre en exil.

After the coup, he had to live in exile.

Core concept

The condition of living abroad after separation from the homeland.

Common phrases

  • vivre en exil

    live in exile

  • être en exil

    be in exile

Similar words

réfugié: A person who leaves their country to seek protection or help elsewhere.
asile: Protection granted by another country to someone fleeing persecution or danger.
émigration: Moving to another country to live there.
expulsion: Being forcibly driven out of a country or place of residence.

Definition in French

Désigne l'état de quelqu'un vivant loin de sa patrie, suite à un bannissement ou à un départ volontaire, souvent pour des motifs politiques.

Word origin

French exil descends from Latin exilium through Old French and preserves its historical connection with forced removal.

Usage tips

  • Exilé can be a noun or an adjective, whereas exil names the condition itself.

Other meanings

  • banishmentnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • exilerexileverb
  • exiléexiledadjective

Word lists with this word