Immigrate vs. Emigrate
Antonyms are words that mean the opposite. Sometimes, however, antonyms have similar spellings and sounds-so they are easily confused. Emigrate and immigrate are two antonyms that sound similar. They are different, however, because of their prefixes. Once you understand how their prefixes change the meanings of these two words, you will tell them apart with ease.
Immigrate is a verb that means to come to a country to live permanently. The prefix "im" can mean not (as in impossible), but it can also mean "in". So, immigrate means to migrate "into."
1. Many Europeans immigrated to the United States at the beginning of the 20th Century, and many of them passed through Ellis Island, New York.
2. People who immigrate to a different country are often looking to better their lives in a foreign land.
Emigrate is a verb that means to leave a country to settle in another. The prefix "e" means "out" or "away from." So someone who emigrates migrates "out" or "away from" their home country.
1. Lourdes' parents emigrated from Honduras and settled in California.
2. Many people emigrated from Cuba when Fidel Castro took over, and they made their way to the southern United States.
So, what is the difference between immigration and emigration? Immigration is a noun referring to the idea of coming to a country. Emigration is a noun referring to the idea of leaving a country.
1. Illegal immigration is a hot topic in the current presidential campaign.
2. Emigration occurs for many reasons, including religious and political turmoil.
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