ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alienation

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˌeɪɫiəˈneɪʃən// UK //ˌeɪliənˈeɪʃən// alien·ation

n. the feeling that you do not belong in a group or society. It often happens when you feel like a stranger to the people or world around you.

n. a state of emotional isolation or detachment from a group, society, or even oneself. In a theatrical context, it refers to techniques used to distance the audience from the action to encourage critical thinking.


SIMPLE

Moving to a new country can cause a sense of alienation.

CONTEXTUAL

The play uses bright lights and direct addresses to the audience to create a sense of alienation from the characters.

COMPLEX

Modern urban planning often inadvertently increases social alienation by prioritizing vehicle traffic over communal spaces where neighbors might naturally interact and form lasting bonds.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English alienacioun, borrowed from Old French alienacion, itself borrowed from Latin aliēnātiōnem.

Usage

Often follows the verbs 'feel' or 'experience' and is frequently paired with the preposition 'from'.

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