denizen

noun

den·​i·​zen ˈde-nə-zən How to pronounce denizen (audio)
plural denizens
Synonyms of denizen
1
: inhabitant
denizens of the forest
2
government : a person allowed residence in a foreign country
3
: someone who frequents a place
nightclub denizens
—often used figuratively
… daylilies, purple loosestrife, and other roadside denizens now firmly rooted in Maine …—Rebecca Sawyer-Fay

Synonyms of denizen

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Used to constant attention in Europe, these new short-term denizens of Athens enjoyed a refreshingly anonymous existence. — Tom Campbell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 Such federal funding intricacies could seem far removed from the denizens of a tent city under the highway in San Diego. — Eric Boodman, STAT, 31 July 2026 But the swamp’s most famous denizen — the creature that visitors most want to see — is the American alligator. — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026 The wealthiest denizens often hire landscape designers, who precisely source the trees, flowers, and shrubs to plant for one’s wildest aesthetic desires. — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for denizen

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of denizen was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

denize
denizen
Denizli
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Cite this Entry

“Denizen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denizen. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

denizen

noun
den·​i·​zen ˈden-ə-zən How to pronounce denizen (audio)
: inhabitant
especially : a person, animal, or plant found in a particular region or environment

More from Merriam-Webster on denizen

Nglish: Translation of denizen for Spanish Speakers

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