returnee

American  

[ri-tur-nee, -tur-nee] / rɪ tɜrˈni, -ˈtɜr ni /

noun

1. a person who has returned, as from travels or a long absence.

2. a person returning from overseas duty in the armed forces.

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returnee British  

/ rɪˈtɜːˌniː /

noun

1. a person who returns to his native country, esp after war service

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Etymology

Origin of returnee

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; return + -ee

Example Sentences

With opportunities increasingly limited, Alavi encouraged her fellow returnee women to seek out any chance available.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

Combined with returnee Troy Wilson, the Bulldogs will have more offensive power.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2025

Then, all of a sudden, you’ve got nothing beyond injury returnee Grubauer and the aforementioned Driedger standing between the playoff wannabe Kraken and a puck armageddon inside their net.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2024

The recent daily returnee figures are three times higher than normal, says the Taliban refugee ministry spokesman Abdul Mutaleb Haqqani.

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2023

He had been deported from England, after all, so perhaps he would not consider himself a returnee like them.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie