# stateless

/ˈsteɪtɫɪs/ (US) · /stˈeɪtləs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stateless
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

having no official nationality or legal connection to any country. This usually means a person cannot get a passport or legal protection from any government.

For teachers: lacking a legal nationality or formal political status within any sovereign state. Often used in legal and humanitarian contexts to describe individuals who are not recognized by any government.

## Examples

- The refugee was stateless and could not travel anywhere.
- International law provides specific protections for stateless individuals who are denied the basic rights of citizenship.
- The researcher explored the historical causes of statelessness, noting how colonial borders and arbitrary legal decrees often left populations without a clear legal identity.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.