foreign

[fawr-in, for-]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or derived from another country or nation; not native.

   foreign cars.

2. of or relating to contact or dealings with other countries; connected with foreign affairs.

3. external to one's own country or nation.

   a foreign country.

4. carried on abroad, or with other countries.

   foreign trade.

   Synonyms: international

5. belonging to or coming from another district, province, etc.

6. located outside a specific district, province, etc.

7. Law.

   1. of or relating to law outside of local jurisdiction.

   2. of or relating to another jurisdiction, as of another nation or state.

8. belonging to or proceeding from other persons or things.

   a statement supported by foreign testimony.

9. not belonging to the place or body where found.

   foreign matter in a chemical mixture.

10. not related to or connected with the thing under consideration.

    foreign to our discussion.

11. alien in character; irrelevant or inappropriate; remote.

    Synonyms: outside, extraneous

12. strange or unfamiliar.

foreign

/ ˈfɒrɪn /

adjective

1. of, involving, located in, or coming from another country, area, people, etc

   a foreign resident

2. dealing or concerned with another country, area, people, etc

   a foreign office

3. not pertinent or related

   a matter foreign to the discussion

4. not familiar; strange

5. in an abnormal place or position

   foreign matter

   foreign bodies

6. law outside the jurisdiction of a particular state; alien

Other Word Forms

• foreignly adverb
• foreignness noun
• nonforeign adjective
• nonforeignness noun
• proforeign adjective
• quasi-foreign adjective
• unforeign adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreign¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English forein, from Old French forain, forein, from unattested Vulgar Latin forānus, derivative of Latin forās “outside”

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreign¹

C13: from Old French forain , from Vulgar Latin forānus (unattested) situated on the outside, from Latin foris outside

Example Sentences

The government also hailed the gas project as one that strengthens the country's positioning on the global energy scene, earning vital foreign exchange.

From BBC

Whether or not these foreign professionals will "find that space for creativity innovation" in China remains a key question for those considering the move.

From BBC

Italy's foreign minister said he had been reassured by Israel that its armed forces would not use violence against the 500 people aboard, including Italian politicians and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

From BBC

“No different from a foreign enemy, but more difficult in many ways because they don’t wear uniforms.”

From Los Angeles Times

The three have been charged with preparing a serious act of violence endangering the German state and membership of a foreign terrorist organisation.

From BBC

Related Words

• alien 
• different 
• external 
• offshore 
• overseas 
• unfamiliar