Exile
/ˈɛɡzaɪl/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe state of being banished or forced to leave one's country or home, typically due to political or legal reasons. Also refers to the period of time spent in such a condition.
/ˈɛɡzaɪl/
The state of being barred from one's native country, typically for political or punitive reasons.
He lived in exile for many years, unable to return to his homeland.
💡 Simply: Exile is like being told you can't go back home. It's usually because you did something people didn't like, or the government wants to punish you, and it means you have to live somewhere else, often missing your family and friends.
👶 For kids: Exile means being kicked out of your home country. Like, if you had to go live in a different place because you did something wrong.
More Examples
The artist found solace during his exile, creating many of his most famous works.
After the coup, the former president went into exile.
How It's Used
"Many dissidents were forced into exile after the revolution."
"The poet wrote of his feelings of loneliness and despair during his exile."
To force someone to leave their country or home as punishment or for political reasons.
/ɪɡˈzaɪl/
To expel or bar someone from their native country or home.
The dictator exiled his political rivals.
💡 Simply: To exile someone is to tell them they can't live where they used to live. It's like sending them far, far away, usually because they did something bad or the people in charge want them gone.
👶 For kids: To exile someone means to tell them they can't live in their home anymore and they have to go away.
More Examples
After the scandal, the board decided to exile the CEO.
The king chose to exile the traitor to a remote island.
How It's Used
"The government exiled the opposition leader for alleged treason."
"Many religious figures were exiled from their communities."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
go into exile
To leave one's country or home and live elsewhere, typically for political reasons.
"After the military coup, the former president was forced to go into exile."
in exile
Living away from one's native country or home.
"The novelist spent many years in exile, writing about his homeland."
From Old French *exil* and Latin *exilium* ('banishment, exile'), derived from *exsul* ('outcast, exile'), ultimately from *ex* ('out of') and *solum* ('soil, land').
Historically, exile was a common form of punishment and political maneuver in ancient civilizations and throughout history.
Memory tip
Imagine being kicked out of your favorite game and having to watch from the sidelines for a long time. That's exile.
Word Origin
"to banish, to be sent away from home and country"