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

Explanation

A foreigner is someone from another country. A foreigner is not from these parts. Things that are foreign are different and unknown to people. Likewise, a foreigner is someone from a different country. An American visiting China is a foreigner. A German person visiting Canada is a foreigner. Foreigners are often tourists who check out the sights of other countries. If a foreigner decided to relocate to another country, they become an immigrant and perhaps eventually a citizen.

Example Sentences

“I was such a foreigner, a guest in that community,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

A university student said he felt like a "foreigner" after losing his ability to speak Welsh following a car crash.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

"He's inspirational because I can relate to him. Coming here as a foreigner and actually making it in life, that's a big inspiration for me," he said.

From BBC • Jan. 27, 2026

"After this year, will we be better able to recognise a pilgrim in the visitor, a seeker in the stranger, a neighbour in the foreigner, and fellow travellers in those who are different?"

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

I was told that this was the first time such an honor was accorded to a foreigner since Dr. W. E. B. Du Bois had come to Ghana.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• alien
• immigrant
• outsider