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foreigner
/ ˈfɒrɪnə /
noun
- a person from a foreign country; alien
- an outsider or interloper
- something from a foreign country, such as a ship or product
Word History and Origins
Origin of foreigner1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Ms Stirling, the founder and chief executive of Detained in Dubai, which helps foreigners abroad and is an international authority on UAE law, said Mr Fakana and his parents were "extremely distressed" by the events.
“The problem is that when you borrow from foreigners, you have to play by their rules,” he said.
I came to the UK in 2008 and have been going to games since then - but I feel like a foreigner, like I don't fit in.
It has also pursued personnel strategies that “minimise domestic political impact”, such as offering bonuses to recruits who volunteer and enlisting foreigners with the promise of citizenship, says Mr Cancian from CSIS.
At the same time, his campaign included promises to “automatically” give green cards — permanent residency — to foreigners who graduate from U.S. universities.
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About This Word
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.
Where does foreigner come from?
The first records of the term foreigner come from around the 1370s. Its base word, foreign, ultimately comes from the Latin forus, meaning “out of doors.” The first records of foreign meaning “from another place” come from around the 1370s.
Foreigner can be used in a neutral way, such as in the discussion of international topics like economics, travel, and tourism. However, its association with racism and xenophobia has motivated many people to avoid its use altogether in favor of other more neutral and direct terms.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to foreigner?
- foreign (adjective)
What are some synonyms for foreigner?
What are some words that share a root or word element with foreigner?
What are some words that often get used in discussing foreigner?
How is foreigner used in real life?
The word foreigner can be used neutrally to describe people from other countries. However, it is sometimes used in very offensive ways to discriminate against people from other places or people who simply seem different in some way.
One of the great things about this World Cup is seeing ordinary Brazilians meeting foreigners for the first time. Everyone wins.
— Andrew Downie (@adowniebrazil) June 16, 2014
Today I announced visa restrictions on PRC officials involved in restricting foreigners’ access to Tibet. We will continue to seek reciprocity in our relationship.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) July 7, 2020
Can foreigners rent apartments in netherlands? Is it a tricky process?
— Daniel – himr (@rabbitlol666) September 29, 2020
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