persona non grata
Say it: per-SOH-nuh non GRAH-tuh /pəˌsəʊnə nɒn ˈɡrɑːtə/ · noun phrase
What “persona non grata” means
Someone who is unwelcome in a particular place or group.
More precisely: A person who is unwelcome or not accepted somewhere.
When to use it
Use it for someone a group no longer welcomes. It sounds formal, but can be jokey about everyday social exclusion.
Memory trick
Latin for “unwelcome person”: picture a welcome mat being pulled away.
Similar words
outcast, pariah, unwelcome person
Where it comes from
Latin, 'unwelcome person', originally a diplomatic term.
Quick check
After repeatedly cheating, a player is told they are no longer welcome at the chess club. They are…
a guest of honour or persona non grata?
Show the answer
persona non grata
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