denizen

noun

den·​i·​zen ˈde-nə-zən 

1

: inhabitant

denizens of the forest

2

government : a person admitted to residence in a foreign country

especially : an alien (see alien entry 2 sense 1b) admitted to rights of citizenship

3

: one that frequents a place

nightclub denizens

Synonyms

• familiar
• frequenter
• habitué
• habitue
• haunter
• rat
• regular

Examples of denizen in a Sentence

one of those muscle-bound denizens of the gym

the polar bear is an iconic denizen of the snowy Arctic

Recent Examples on the Web

Showing his home to the internet denizens via boy apartment videos has become a source of pride. —The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2025

The denizens of Fort Bridger are all covered in dirt and grime. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Between its rich history and even wealthier denizens, the Principality of Monaco reigns supreme as the world’s most glamorous and exclusive motorsport destination. —Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 24 Dec. 2024

The third denizen of the deep that budget hawks cannot reach is the budget for defense or national security. —Ron Elving, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English denizeine, from Anglo-French denisein, denzein inhabitant, inner part, inner, from denz within, from Late Latin deintus, from Latin de- + intus within — more at ent-

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

denizen

noun

den·​i·​zen ˈden-ə-zən 

: inhabitant

especially : a person, animal, or plant found in a particular region or environment