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foreigner
[ fawr-uh-ner, for- ]
noun
- a person not native to or naturalized in the country or jurisdiction under consideration; alien.
Synonyms:
- a person from outside one's community.
- a thing produced in or brought from a foreign country.
- Nautical. a foreign vessel.
foreigner
/ ˈɒɪə /
noun
- a person from a foreign country; alien
- an outsider or interloper
- something from a foreign country, such as a ship or product
Word History and Origins
Origin of foreigner1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
In defense of its deportations, Trump administration lawyers have pointed to the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 and said it gave the president wartime powers to quickly deport foreigners.
Following the alert from the US embassy, Zambia's foreign ministry released a statement saying that the new Cyber Security Act was "not intended to invade any person's privacy" - whether Zambians or foreigners.
Both men, possessing mediocre intelligence at best, no doubt resent it when those foreigners are far smarter or more accomplished than they will ever be.
Ghana has banned all foreigners from trading in its local gold market as part of efforts to boost national revenue and streamline the country's mining sector.
A prestigious social studies institute in Paris recently sent its students a warning, following reports of foreigners being questioned about their political beliefs and refused entry.
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About This Word
is a foreigner?
A foreigner is a person from a different country than the one being referred to, as in The country was welcoming to foreigners from neighboring countries.
Foreigner is a noun form of the adjective foreign, which is used to describe someone or something that is from another place, particularly another country, as in foreign country and foreign language.
Foreigner can be used more generally to mean a person from outside someone’s community or group.
The word foreigner is similar to words like stranger and outsider, referring to a person who is from outside a community. However, foreigner implies that a person has different customs and culture or speaks a different language. Sometimes, foreigner is used negatively to harshly judge or discriminate against a person’s culture, customs, language, or country. It implies that the person or people being discussed are not acceptable in some way—that they don’t belong where they are. Although foreigner can be used in a neutral way, it can also be used in a way that’s very offensive.
Words like immigrant, refugee, and tourist more specifically indicate a person’s status.
Example: The secluded island nation was known for being distrustful of foreigners and rarely allowed visitors from other countries.
Where doesforeigner come from?
The first records of the term foreigner come from around the 1370s. Its base word, foreign, ultimately comes from the Latin forus, meaning “out of doors.” The first records of foreign meaning “from another place” come from around the 1370s.
Foreigner can be used in a neutral way, such as in the discussion of international topics like economics, travel, and tourism. However, its association with racism and xenophobia has motivated many people to avoid its use altogether in favor of other more neutral and direct terms.
Did you know ... ?
are some other forms related to foreigner?
- foreign (adjective)
are some synonyms for foreigner?
are some words that share a root or word element with foreigner?
are some words that often get used in discussing foreigner?
How isforeigner used in real life?
The word foreigner can be used neutrally to describe people from other countries. However, it is sometimes used in very offensive ways to discriminate against people from other places or people who simply seem different in some way.
One of the great things about this World Cup is seeing ordinary Brazilians meeting foreigners for the first time. Everyone wins.
— Andrew Downie (@adowniebrazil)
Today I announced visa restrictions on PRC officials involved in restricting foreigners’ access to Tibet. We will continue to seek reciprocity in our relationship.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo)
Can foreigners rent apartments in netherlands? Is it a tricky process?
— Daniel – himr (@rabbitlol666)
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