foreigner

American  

[fawr-uh-ner, for-] / ˈfɔr ə nər, ˈfɒr- /

noun

1. a person not native to or naturalized in the country or jurisdiction under consideration; alien.

   Synonyms:

   outlander

2. a person from outside one's community.

3. a thing produced in or brought from a foreign country.

4. Nautical. a foreign vessel.

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foreigner British  

/ ˈfɒrɪnə /

noun

1. a person from a foreign country; alien

2. an outsider or interloper

3. something from a foreign country, such as a ship or product

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Usage

What is a foreigner? A foreigner is a person from a different country than the one being referred to, as in The country was welcoming to foreigners from neighboring countries.Foreigner is a noun form of the adjective foreign, which is used to describe someone or something that is from another place, particularly another country, as in foreign country and foreign language.Foreigner can be used more generally to mean a person from outside someone’s community or group.The word foreigner is similar to words like stranger and outsider, referring to a person who is from outside a community. However, foreigner implies that a person has different customs and culture or speaks a different language. Sometimes, foreigner is used negatively to harshly judge or discriminate against a person’s culture, customs, language, or country. It implies that the person or people being discussed are not acceptable in some way—that they don’t belong where they are. Although foreigner can be used in a neutral way, it can also be used in a way that’s very offensive.Words like immigrant, refugee, and tourist more specifically indicate a person’s status.Example: The secluded island nation was known for being distrustful of foreigners and rarely allowed visitors from other countries.

Related Words

See stranger.

Etymology

Origin of foreigner

First recorded in 1375–1425, foreigner is from the late Middle English word foreiner. See foreign, -er ¹

Example Sentences

It has increased sea patrols by frigates, tightened rules for foreigners and talked of launching exploration of the surrounding sea bed, which holds deposits of precious rare earths in demand by modern industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

Services include things like foreigners booking U.S. hotels, signing up for streaming services or tapping American firms for financial advice.

From The Wall Street Journal

There isn’t widespread evidence that foreign producers are cutting their prices to offset the tariffs, the main mechanism by which foreigners would “pay” for the border taxes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their inflows are keeping valuations too high for dip-buying by foreigners.

From Barron's

That has begun to change, forcing foreigners to rethink what makes a good hedge or haven.

From Barron's

Related Words

• alien
• immigrant
• outsider