Definition

A person who lives in a colony, especially one of the first people to settle there.

Example

The colonist built a new home in the wilderness.

Conversation

Did you know that my ancestor was a colonist in the 1600s?

That's really interesting! What did they do back then?

They helped establish the first settlements and farmed the land.

Wow, it must have been tough for a colonist back then.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Colonist → It is formed from "colonia" (from Latin, meaning a settlement or farm) and "-ist" (meaning a person who). A colonist is a person who settles in a new territory or colony.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'settlement' ('colonia') and remember that a colonist is someone who is a person from that settlement.

Visually Confused Words