foreigner

noun

for·​eign·​er ˈfȯr-ə-nər How to pronounce foreigner (audio)
ˈfär-
Synonyms of foreignernext
1
: a person belonging to or owing allegiance to a foreign country
2
chiefly dialectal : one not native to a place or community : stranger sense 1c

Synonyms of foreigner

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Examples of foreigner in a Sentence

I can tell by your accent you're a foreigner in these parts.
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The president said none of them had permission to operate in Mexico and that the military was unaware of the foreigners’ presence. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Petit laid down the law on immigration, welcoming foreigners who respect France while telling agitators who hate the nation that nobody wants them around. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Wealthy foreigners put hundreds of thousands of dollars into real estate or businesses, and governments gave them a foothold abroad. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026 Kpodo, an architect, will exhibit work that addresses modernism, turning the focus away from tropical modernism centered on concrete buildings, which were often built by foreigners in Ghanaian cities. — Gameli Hamelo, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foreigner

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreigner was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing foreigner

Rhymes for foreigner

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Browse Nearby Words

foreign devil
foreigner
foreign exchange
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Cite this Entry

“Foreigner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreigner. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

foreigner

noun
for·​eign·​er ˈfȯr-ə-nər How to pronounce foreigner (audio)
ˈfär-
: a person who is from a foreign country
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