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.
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 State prosecutor María Elena Andrade alleged that the attackers wanted to steal the tires from the foreigners’ pickup truck and that the victims resisted. — Fabiola Sánchez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Officials are warning that attacks could happen with little or no warning at tourist attractions, hotels, transportation hubs, shopping malls and other places visited by foreigners. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 14 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 19 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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