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

"Everything was dirt cheap, and if you were a foreigner you'd get attention," he says.

From BBC

Trump’s call for the “death penalty for any migrant that kills an American citizen or a law enforcement officer” reminds me of Hitler’s similar vow, in August 1932, that if appointed chancellor, he would always place the life of a blood German over a foreigner.

From Salon

Now many of them are returning, but some say they are encountering a ‘forever foreigner mentality’

From Los Angeles Times

"When I came here, even as a foreigner, I felt more at home, because that's where I feel comfortable".

From BBC

"I was a foreigner in my own country," he told the BBC when asked about adopting the UK capital.

From BBC

Related Words

• alien
• immigrant
• outsider