allochthonous

A1L1L1O1C3H4T1H4O1N1O1U1S1
UK/əˈlɒk.θə.nəs/

adjective

Originating in a place other than where it is found.

Opposite
autochthonous
OriginAncient Greek ἄλλος →
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Meanings

adjectiveallochthonous (not comparable)
  1. not comparableOriginating in a place other than where it is found.
  2. not comparablegeographyBuried or found in a place remote from the site of formation.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
autochthonous

adjectiveof rocks, deposits, etc.; found in a place other than where they and their constituents were formed

Opposite
autochthonous

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekἄλλος“other”
  2. Englishallochthonous

From Ancient Greek ἄλλος (állos, “other”) + χθών (khthṓn, “earth, ground”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Catalan al·lòcton, al·lòcton
  • al·lòctonoriginating in a place other than where it is found
  • al·lòctongeology: being far from the place of formation
Dutch allochtoon
  • allochtoonoriginating in a place other than where it is found
Finnish vierasperäinen, alloktoninen
  • vierasperäinenoriginating in a place other than where it is found
  • alloktoninengeology: being far from the place of formation
French allogène, allochtone
  • allogèneoriginating in a place other than where it is found
  • allochtoneoriginating in a place other than where it is found
German allochthon
  • allochthonoriginating in a place other than where it is found
Irish aindíleasach
  • aindíleasachgeology: being far from the place of formation
Italian alloctono
  • alloctonogeology: being far from the place of formation
Portuguese alóctone, alóctone
  • alóctoneoriginating in a place other than where it is found
  • alóctonegeology: being far from the place of formation
Spanish alóctono, alóctono
  • alóctonooriginating in a place other than where it is found
  • alóctonogeology: being far from the place of formation
Cite this entry
APA

allochthonous. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/allochthonous

MLA

“allochthonous.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/allochthonous. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “allochthonous,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/allochthonous.

Source: allochthonous on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.