foreigner
FOR-ih-nuh
Foreigner (noun) means a person from a country other than the one they are currently in. Example: “As a foreigner, she needed a visa to stay longer.”
noun
1
A person from a country other than the one they are currently in.
"Though foreigners did play some part in fighting as mercenaries for Gadhafi during the bloody Libyan war, the IOM and local leaders in Chad say the vast majority of Chadians, like Mohammed, were working to send remittances home."
— David McKenzie, Chad’s migrant workers pay price for Libya conflict (2012)
"For a student of American history and a foreigner like myself, it is easier to understand all these extremisms of conscience."
— Alberto R. Oliva, The American Sense of Guilt (1971)
"As a foreigner, she needed a visa to stay longer."
"The town welcomed foreigners with open arms."
How to use foreigner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who comes from a different country than the one they're currently in.
Common pairings
treat foreigners
a foreigner in
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Word forms
- Plural
- foreigners
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
As a _____, she needed a visa to stay longer.
Etymology
From Middle English forener, built from foreign + -er.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for foreigner
See all rhymes for foreigner →Frequently asked questions
What does “foreigner” mean?
The word “foreigner” means a person from a country other than the one they are currently in. In plain terms, someone who comes from a different country than the one they're currently in.
How do you pronounce “foreigner”?
“Foreigner” is pronounced FOR-ih-nuh (/ˈfɔɹ.ɪ.nɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “foreigner” in a sentence?
Here is “foreigner” used in a sentence: “As a foreigner, she needed a visa to stay longer.”
What is another word for “foreigner”?
Words with a similar meaning to “foreigner” include alien, metœcus, outlander, outsider, stranger and barbarian.
What is the opposite of “foreigner”?
The opposite of “foreigner” — its antonyms — are aborigine, autochthon, citizen, compatriot and countryman.
What part of speech is “foreigner”?
“Foreigner” is a noun.
Where does the word “foreigner” come from?
The word “foreigner” comes from Middle English. From Middle English forener, built from foreign + -er.
Is “foreigner” a common word?
“Foreigner” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.