persona non grata

noun

per·​so·​na non gra·​ta pər-ˈsō-nə-ˌnän-ˈgra-tə  -ˈgrä- 

plural personae non gratae pər-ˈsō-(ˌ)nē-ˌnän-ˈgra-(ˌ)tē 

-ˈgrä-,

-ˌnī-,

-ˌtī

: a person who is unacceptable or unwelcome

Luis Villoro is hardly a persona non grata. As he approaches the age of eighty, his position in the intelligentsia is secure.

—Scott Sherman

—typically used without a or the

… English scientist James Lovelock, co-author of the Gaia hypothesis and once an environmental demigod. Lovelock has become persona non grata by saying that the ecosphere is so resilient no amount of human malfeasance, including nuclear war, could end life.

—Gregg Easterbrook

"We'd been very good friends for millions of years and I thought it was a bit much for them suddenly to be personae non gratae and out of my life."

—Paul McCartney

Examples of persona non grata in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Imperialist behavior will make Russia a rogue state and Putin persona non grata. —Alexander J. Motyl, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2014

What is clear, however, is that his daughter was not happy and Macdougall was very much persona non grata in her room. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024

Israel responded with the persona non grata declaration, effectively banning him from entering its borders. —Peter Aitken, Fox News, 2 Oct. 2024

Even with Sterling now seemingly persona non grata, Maresca has Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Guiu, Jackson and Neto to choose from in advanced roles. —Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, unacceptable person

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above