abroad

[ uh-brawd ]

adverb

1. in or to a foreign country or countries:

   famous at home and abroad.

   Synonyms: overseas

   Antonyms: at-home

2. in or to another continent:

   Shall we go to Mexico or abroad this summer?

3. out of doors; from one place to another; about:

   No one was abroad in the noonday heat. The owl ventures abroad at night.

   Synonyms: outside, out

4. spread around; in circulation:

   Rumors of disaster are abroad.

   Synonyms: rife, everywhere

5. broadly; widely; far and wide.
6. wide of the mark; in error.

noun

1. a foreign land or lands:

   imports from abroad.

abroad

/ əˈbrɔːd /

adverb

1. to or in a foreign country or countries

adjective

1. (of news, rumours, etc) in general circulation; current
2. out in the open
3. over a wide area
4. archaic.
   in error

Word History and Origins

Origin of abroad¹

First recorded in 1225–75, abroad is from the Middle English word abrod. See a- ¹, broad

Word History and Origins

Origin of abroad¹

C13: from a- ² + broad

Example Sentences

If so, what was the difference between a new child born in the United States and someone arriving from abroad?

From Salon

Ms Mathur says it took visits to several healthcare centres across the country and abroad over the past two years before she received the care she needed.

From BBC

Mr Rahman worked for the CIA abroad and held a top secret security clearance, the New York Times reported.

From BBC

As Trump's cabinet takes form, Colbert emphasized, "A lot of Americans are feeling unsettled since the election which is one of the reasons why according to Google internet searches for how to move abroad are up by 1000%."

From Salon

Det Ch Insp Ben Arrowsmith said it was the first time in British legal history that "charges relating to animal cruelty have been brought for offences that took place abroad, where the offenders are in the UK".

From BBC

Related Words

• away
• elsewhere
• overseas