aliens
aliens — adjective
- alienspositive
- more alienscomparative
- most alienssuperlative
1. relating to or coming from a planet other than Earth; used to describe creatures
relating to or coming from a planet other than Earth; used to describe creatures, objects, or life forms that exist beyond our world.
Tariq's science-fiction novel describes an alien civilization living under the ice on Europa.
alien + noun: civilization / life / species
A huge alien spacecraft appears in the sky above London in the new film.
Scientists use radio telescopes to search for signs of alien life in distant galaxies.
Nikos dressed up as an alien creature with green skin and large black eyes for the party.
- extraterrestrial
more scientific or technical register; 'alien' is more common in everyday conversation and fiction
- otherworldly
suggests something dreamlike or spiritual rather than physically from another planet
- earthly
relating to the planet Earth; opposite of extraterrestrial
- terrestrial
living on or relating to Earth
文法句型
alien + noun
常見錯誤
2. strange and unfamiliar because it is very different from what you are used to; d
strange and unfamiliar because it is very different from what you are used to; describes ideas, feelings, or experiences that feel foreign or unnatural.
When Dewi first arrived in Reykjavik from Bali, the cold winter nights felt completely alien to her.
be alien to [someone]
The idea of eating a meal at ten in the evening seemed alien to Esteban's family.
Haruto found the concept of paying for water totally alien, because it is free everywhere in his hometown.
Olivia had studied French for years, so the language did not feel alien when she moved to Paris.
- foreign
weaker and more general; can describe anything unfamiliar, not just ideas
- strange
more common, less formal; 'alien' emphasises a stronger sense of not belonging
- unfamiliar
neutral and factual; 'alien' carries emotional distance
文法句型
alien + to + [person]
be alien to + [someone]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always followed by 'to' + a person or group. It is not used directly before a noun — you would not say 'an alien feeling', but rather 'a feeling alien to me'.
常見錯誤
3. relating to a person who lives in a country but is not a citizen of that country
relating to a person who lives in a country but is not a citizen of that country; used in legal and official contexts about nationality and residency status.
The new policy requires all alien residents to renew their registration every two years.
collocation: alien resident / alien worker
The factory employed several alien workers under temporary agricultural visas.
Nora's lawyer explained the difference between permanent resident status and alien status under the current laws.
The diplomat's family received special alien status that allowed them to stay for five years.
- foreign
broader and more neutral; 'alien' is more formal and legal
- non-citizen
purely legal term without emotional weight
文法句型
alien + noun
aliens — noun
- alienssingular
- aliensesplural
1. a living creature that comes from a planet other than Earth; an imaginary being
a living creature that comes from a planet other than Earth; an imaginary being from outer space that appears in stories, films, and scientific discussions about life beyond our solar system.
Astrid's favourite film is about a friendly alien who crash-lands in a farmer's backyard.
collocation: friendly / hostile alien
The children stared at the strange lights in the sky and wondered if aliens were visiting Earth.
Tariq built a model of a small green alien with three eyes for his school science project.
Scientists at the conference discussed how humans might communicate with intelligent aliens one day.
- extraterrestrial
more formal and scientific; 'ET' is a common informal abbreviation
- space being
descriptive but less common in everyday speech
常見錯誤
2. a person residing in a foreign nation without holding citizenship there; someone
a person residing in a foreign nation without holding citizenship there; someone from another place who does not enjoy the legal rights of a native-born person.
Adaeze has lived in Canada for twelve years and is no longer classified as a legal alien.
collocation: legal / illegal / resident alien
The new law makes it easier for skilled aliens to apply for permanent residency.
Kabir had to check his visa status because the form asked whether he was a citizen or an alien.
The immigration officer reminded Mira that as an alien, she must report any change of address.
- foreigner
neutral everyday term; 'alien' is more formal and legal
- non-citizen
purely legal, no emotional charge
- immigrant
someone who moved to live permanently; not all aliens are immigrants
用法筆記
In modern English this sense is mostly limited to legal and government contexts. In everyday speech, 'foreigner' or 'non-citizen' is preferred because 'alien' can sound dehumanising or old-fashioned.
常見錯誤
3. a person who feels they do not belong in a particular group, place, or community
a person who feels they do not belong in a particular group, place, or community; someone who is different from everyone else around them and feels excluded or out of place.
As the only woman in the engineering department, Mira sometimes felt like an alien among her colleagues.
feel like an alien (idiomatic expression)
Esteban grew up in a small village and felt like an alien when he started university in the city.
Dewi was treated like an alien by the other students simply because she spoke with a different accent.
At the exclusive party, Tariq felt like an alien among the wealthy guests in their expensive suits.
文法句型
feel like an alien
treat someone like an alien
用法筆記
This sense is most commonly found in the fixed expressions 'feel like an alien' and 'treat someone like an alien'. It is metaphorical — the person is not actually from another planet.
aliens — verb
- alienspresent simple I / you / we / they
- alienses3rd person singular
- aliensing-ing form
- aliensedpast simple
1. to make someone feel isolated, unwelcome, or unfriendly towards you; to cause a
to make someone feel isolated, unwelcome, or unfriendly towards you; to cause a once-friendly relationship to become distant or hostile through your actions or behaviour.
Zuri's constant criticism gradually alienated her closest friends until she had no one to turn to.
alienate + [person] (direct object)
The manager alienated the entire team by taking full credit for work that everyone had done together.
Nora worried that working seven days a week would alienate her from her young children.
The politician's harsh comments on social media alienated many of her longtime supporters.
文法句型
alienate + [person]
alienate + [person] + from + [group]
用法筆記
The more common verb form for this meaning is 'alienate'. The bare verb 'alien' in this sense is very rare in modern English and is mostly found in formal or literary writing.
常見錯誤
2. to legally transfer ownership of land, buildings, or other property from one per
to legally transfer ownership of land, buildings, or other property from one person to another.
The farmer decided to alienate the eastern field to his youngest son before retiring.
alienate + [property] + to + [person]
Under the terms of the contract, the company may not alienate any of its assets without board approval.
The government has the legal power to alienate private land for public infrastructure projects like highways.
The will states that the estate cannot be alienated until the youngest child turns twenty-one.
- retain
to keep ownership of property
文法句型
alienate + [property] + to + [person]
用法筆記
This is a highly technical legal term. In everyday English, 'transfer', 'sell', or 'convey' are used instead. Even many native speakers are unfamiliar with 'alienate' in this sense.