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.
Mobs are looting foreigners’ shops. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2026 And yet, the endless stream of upbeat posts from foreigners has gone a long way in reframing the bigger picture. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 June 2026 Home prices in the nation are falling, making way for potential bargains—but only the wealthiest foreigners can afford to move there. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 July 2026 America’s 13 original colonies were teeming with adventurous foreigners who formed the bedrock of our dynamic economy and democracy. — Robert Hormats, Time, 4 July 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 10 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on foreigner

Nglish: Translation of foreigner for Spanish Speakers

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