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Synonyms & Similar Words
Meaning of Squatter
A person who settles on land or in a building without legal permission.
Definitions
- A person who settles on land or in a building without legal permission, especially one who does so as a form of protest or to assert a right to housing.
- A person who takes possession of a piece of land or property, especially in a wilderness area, with the intention of establishing a homestead or claim.
- In biology, an animal that settles or establishes itself in a particular area or habitat.
Etymology of Squatter
The word "squatter" originated in the mid-17th century, from the verb "squatt", which means to crouch or sit, and the suffix "-er", which forms an agent noun.
Historically, the term referred to a person who settled on land without permission, often in a wilderness area, with the intention of establishing a homestead or claim.
Over time, the term has taken on additional meanings, including its use in biology to describe an animal that settles or establishes itself in a particular area or habitat.
Example Uses
- The squatter had been living in the abandoned building for months, despite efforts by the owner to evict him.
- The government has established a program to provide housing for homeless people and squatters.
- The bird is a squatter, establishing its nest in a tree cavity or rock crevice.
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
landlord
owner
proprietor
resident
tenant
lessee
occupant
inhabitant
dweller
settler
colonist
pioneer
homesteader
homeowner
property owner
freeholder
leaseholder
renter
payer
contributor
donor
helper
assistant