foreigner

[fawr-uh-ner, for-]

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.

foreigner

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreigner¹

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

Synonym Study

See stranger.

Example Sentences

In the Russian military, many of the enlisted foreigners came to Russia first as students, but their visas lapsed and they do not want to return home.

From Los Angeles Times

This is just the latest step in China's broader effort to attract foreigners to the country - whether for tourism, research or business.

From BBC

In a statement shared on social media, Thai police say "the investigation team received a tip-off that a group of foreigners were planning a narcotics handover at the hotel".

From BBC

The woman, who did not have valid documents to stay in India, had been sent to a foreigners' detention centre along with her daughters.

From BBC

"Reform blames foreigners, Plaid blame Westminster," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• alien 
• immigrant 
• outsider 

When To Use

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.