fugitive
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.someone who is running away or hiding, especially from the police or a legal situation.
n.a person who has escaped from a place or is in hiding, especially to avoid arrest or persecution.
Simple“The fugitive was finally caught by the police after hiding in the woods for three days.”
In context“Federal agents tracked the fugitive across three state lines before apprehending him at a remote farmhouse near the border.”
Usageoften used with the preposition 'from'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
adj.describes someone who is currently escaping or running away from somewhere.
adj.relating to or characteristic of a person who is fleeing from pursuit or custody.
Simple“The fugitive prisoner was spotted near the train station late last night.”
In context“The authorities issued a warning regarding a fugitive convict who had escaped from the high-security facility during a power outage.”
Usageusually placed before a noun.
Teacher's tipThis is less common than the noun form in everyday speech.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
adj.lasting for only a very short time.
adj.transient, fleeting, or ephemeral in nature; passing quickly away.
Simple“He tried to capture the fugitive beauty of the sunset in his painting.”
In context“The poet reflects on the fugitive nature of youth, noting how quickly the vibrant energy of one's early years dissolves into memory.”
Teacher's tipIn this sense, the word is almost exclusively found in poetry or high-level academic prose.
“The fugitive, who has not been officially named, was arrested after officers from the Policía Nacional force discovered he was living in the north-eastern Spanish city of Tarragona.”
“I said, you can continue to pay Anita [Perrottet’s wife] and look after her.” Sydney property developer Jean Nassif, who is now a fugitive in Lebanon.”
From Middle English fugitive, fugityve, fugityf, fugitife, fugytif, fugitif, from Latin fugitīvus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.