stranger

[ streyn-jer ]

noun

1. a person with whom one has had no personal acquaintance:

   He is a perfect stranger to me.

   Antonyms: acquaintance

2. a newcomer in a place or locality:

   a stranger in town.

3. an outsider:

   They want no strangers in on the club meetings.

4. a person who is unacquainted with or unaccustomed to something (usually followed by to ):

   He is no stranger to poverty.

5. a person who is not a member of the family, group, community, or the like, as a visitor or guest:

   Our town shows hospitality to strangers.

6. Law. one not privy or party to an act, proceeding, etc.

stranger

/ ˈstreɪndʒə /

noun

1. any person whom one does not know
2. a person who is new to a particular locality, from another region, town, etc
3. a guest or visitor
4. foll by to a person who is unfamiliar (with) or new (to) something

   he is no stranger to computers

5. law a person who is neither party nor privy to a transaction

Other Words From

• stranger·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stranger¹

1325–75; Middle English, from Middle French estrangier, equivalent to estrange strange + -ier -ier ²

Synonym Study

Stranger, foreigner both refer to someone regarded as outside of or distinct from a particular group. Stranger may apply to one who does not belong to some group—social, professional, national, etc.—or may apply to a person with whom one is not acquainted. Foreigner emphasizes a difference in language, customs, and background.

Example Sentences

Some of the main actors’ high visibility on Netflix may have helped the film appeal among younger viewers, including Ryder on “Stranger Things” and Jenna Ortega in “Wednesday.”

From Los Angeles Times

Netflix — best known for shows including “Bridgerton” and “Stranger Things” — recently said its cheaper ad-supported tier reached 70 million monthly active users, up from 40 million in May.

From Los Angeles Times

Getting messages about who to vote for from your pastor or faith leader, who you trust, is much more effective than getting that message from a stranger.

From Salon

He added: “The displaced came as guests and we welcome them. But if there is someone stranger here, whoever he is - it might be my own child and I’m not aware of him being in Hezbollah - and they target him, and children and women get killed, isn’t that pitiful?”

From BBC

A soon-to-be mom, Jackson is no stranger to entertaining kids.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alien
• foreigner
• guest
• immigrant
• intruder
• newcomer
• outsider
• visitor