N-400 Vocabulary: Words to Know for Your Citizenship Interview

The officer reviews your Form N-400 with you, and that conversation is also your English speaking test. These words come up often. Learn what they mean so you can answer with confidence, and if you don’t know a word at the interview, ask: “What does that word mean?”

Naturalization

The process of becoming a U.S. citizen if you were born in another country.

Permanent resident

A person with a green card who may live and work in the United States permanently.

Oath

A serious promise, usually to tell the truth.

Oath of Allegiance

The promise new citizens make to be loyal to the United States.

Allegiance

Loyalty to a country.

Eligible

Allowed or qualified to do something.

Exempt

Not required to do something.

Renounce

To formally give something up, such as loyalty to another country or a royal title.

Hereditary title

A royal or noble title, like king, duke, or lord, passed down in a family.

Claim to be a U.S. citizen

To say you are a U.S. citizen when you are not, for example on a job form.

Register to vote

To sign up to vote. Only citizens may vote in federal elections.

Overdue taxes

Taxes you owe but did not pay on time.

Nonresident (taxes)

Filing taxes as someone who does not live in the United States.

Communist Party

A political party that supports communism, where the government owns property and businesses.

Totalitarian party

A group that wants one party or leader to control every part of life.

Terrorist organization

A group that uses violence against people to reach political goals.

Genocide

Killing people because of their race, religion, nationality, or ethnic group.

Torture

Hurting someone badly on purpose to cause great pain.

Persecute

To hurt or treat people badly because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group.

Militia

An armed group of people that is not a regular army.

Paramilitary group

An armed group organized like an army but not an official army.

Rebel group

A group that fights against its government.

Guerrilla group

A small armed group that fights using surprise attacks.

Insurgent

A person who fights against their own government.

Vigilante

A person who punishes others without legal authority.

Child soldier

Anyone under 15 who is used to fight or work for an armed group.

Weapon

Something used to hurt or kill, such as a gun, bomb, or knife.

Arrested

Taken by the police because they think you broke a law.

Detained

Held by police or officials and not allowed to leave.

Cited

Given a ticket or written notice for breaking a law.

Convicted

Found guilty of a crime by a court.

Probation

A period when a court lets you stay free but under supervision.

Parole

Being released from prison early with supervision.

Habitual drunkard

Someone who is drunk very often.

Controlled substance

An illegal drug, or a legal drug used illegally.

Smuggle

To bring something or someone into a country illegally.

Polygamy

Being married to more than one person at the same time.

Illegal gambling

Betting money in a way that breaks the law.

Child support / Alimony

Money a court orders you to pay for your children or a former spouse.

Deported / Removed

Officially sent out of the United States by the government.

Selective Service

The system where men aged 18 to 25 register in case the military needs a draft.

Desert (the military)

To leave military service without permission and not return.

Bear arms

To carry weapons and fight for the United States if the law requires it.

Noncombatant service

Work for the military that does not involve fighting.

Work of national importance

Important civilian work for the country, done if the law requires it.

Mental reservation

Secretly not meaning the promise you are making.

Continuous residence

Living in the United States without very long trips away.

Physical presence

The total number of days you were actually inside the United States.

Good moral character

Being an honest person who follows the law.

Next, see the questions the officer may ask about your N-400.