off-worlder

off-world·er
UK/ˌɒfˈwɜːldə/US/ˈɔfˈwɜɹldəɹ/US/ˈɑf-/

noun

One who is not from the local world (whether a dimension, plane, planet, or universe); an alien.

Meanings

nounoff-worlder (plural off-worlders)

plural off-worlders · alternative offworlder · alternative off worlder

  1. fantasyOne who is not from the local world (whether a dimension, plane, planet, or universe); an alien.

    So? On your world you do as custom rules. Customs are different here, off-worlder.

    1955, Andre Norton [pseudonym; Alice Mary Norton], “Classic move to Disaster”, in Star Guard, New York, N.Y.: Harcourt, Brace and Company, →OCLC, page 58
    2 more examples

    The distinguished scientist, winner of the Seo Oren Prize for service to all nations through science, has accepted a professorship at Ieu Eun University, an honor never before accorded to an off-worlder.

    1974, Ursula K[roeber] Le Guin, chapter 3, in The Dispossessed, New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, published July 1975, →ISBN, page 63

    TRAVEL ADVISORY: Korlus ranks second in murder per capita in the Terminus Systems and first in offworlder murder. Civilian traffic is encouraged to employ security professionals when visiting.

    2010, BioWare, Mass Effect 2, Redwood City, Calif.: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Korlus

Origin

From off-world (adjective) + -er (suffix denoting a person characterized by [the adjective to which the suffix is attached]).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish ulkoplaneettalainen
  • ulkoplaneettalainenone who is not from the local world — see also alien
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: off-worlder on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.