foreign

The word “foreign” means belonging to or coming from a country other than one's own. In plain terms, from another country, or generally unfamiliar and out of place.

“Foreign” is pronounced FO-rihn (/ˈfɔɹɪn/ in IPA).

Here is “foreign” used in a sentence: “She speaks three foreign languages.”

Words with a similar meaning to “foreign” include overseas, international, extraneous, acquired, additional and adventitious.

The opposite of “foreign” — its antonyms — are domestic, native, indigenous, innate and natural.

“Foreign” is an adjective.

The word “foreign” comes from Latin. From Old French forain, ultimately from Latin foris, meaning "outside." The silent "g" was added later, likely by analogy with the word reign.

“Foreign” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

Foreign describes something belonging to or coming from another country, while domestic describes something from one's own country. Foreign goods are imported from abroad; domestic goods are made at home. The pair is used constantly in trade, politics, and travel to mark the line between abroad and home.

Foreign is usually neutral, simply meaning from another country, as in foreign languages or foreign travel. It can carry a slightly negative shade when it means unfamiliar or out of place, as in "the idea was completely foreign to her." Context decides the tone.

You might say, "She speaks three foreign languages," or "The country depends on foreign investment." In both, foreign marks something as coming from outside one's own nation, whether a language learned from abroad or money flowing in from other countries.