stranger
STRAYND-zhuh
Stranger (noun) means a person you do not know. Example: “I felt shy at the party because I was surrounded by strangers.”
noun
1
A person you do not know.
"I felt shy at the party because I was surrounded by strangers."
"Her mother always warned her not to talk to strangers."
"A stranger stopped to help change the flat tyre."
2
Someone unfamiliar with a particular thing, place, or experience.
"I am a stranger to this city, so I need a map."
"She was no stranger to cold mornings, having grown up on a farm."
"He was no stranger to hard work."
How to use stranger
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone you don't know, or someone unused to a particular thing.
Common pairings
complete stranger
no stranger to
talk to strangers
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like stranger.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- strangers
- Third person singular
- strangers
- Past tense
- strangered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I felt shy at the party because I was surrounded by _____.
Etymology
From Old French "estrangier" ("foreign"), ultimately from Latin "extraneus" — the same root as "strange" and "estrange."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for stranger
See all rhymes for stranger →Frequently asked questions
What does “stranger” mean?
The word “stranger” means a person you do not know. In plain terms, someone you don't know, or someone unused to a particular thing.
How do you pronounce “stranger”?
“Stranger” is pronounced STRAYND-zhuh (/ˈstɹeɪnd͡ʒɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “stranger” in a sentence?
Here is “stranger” used in a sentence: “Her mother always warned her not to talk to strangers.”
What is another word for “stranger”?
Words with a similar meaning to “stranger” include newcomer and beginner.
What is the opposite of “stranger”?
The opposite of “stranger” — its antonyms — are acquaintance, compatriot, friend, countryman and fellow citizen.
What part of speech is “stranger”?
“Stranger” is a noun.
Where does the word “stranger” come from?
The word “stranger” comes from Latin. From Old French "estrangier" ("foreign"), ultimately from Latin "extraneus" — the same root as "strange" and "estrange.".
Is “stranger” a common word?
“Stranger” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a stranger and an acquaintance?
A stranger is a person you do not know at all. An acquaintance is someone you have met and know slightly, but not closely. The key difference is that you have had some contact with an acquaintance.
What is the difference between a stranger and a foreigner?
A stranger is simply a person you do not know, regardless of where they come from. A foreigner is someone from another country. A person from your own town can be a stranger, but only someone from abroad is a foreigner.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include stranger:
