foreign

1 of 2

adjective

for·​eign ˈfȯr-ən 

ˈfär-

1

: situated outside a place or country

especially : situated outside one's own country

foreign cities

2

: born in, belonging to, or characteristic of some place or country other than the one under consideration

has a large foreign population

foreign languages

3

: of, relating to, or proceeding from some other person or material thing than the one under consideration

foreign aid

4

: alien in character : not connected or pertinent

… this design is not foreign from some people's thoughts …

—Jonathan Swift

5

: related to or dealing with other nations

foreign trade

6

a

: occurring in an abnormal situation in the living body and often introduced from outside

a foreign body lodged in the esophagus

b

: not recognized by the immune system as part of the self

foreign proteins

7

: not being within the jurisdiction of a political unit (such as a state)

foreign corporations

foreignness

ˈfȯr-ən-nəs 

ˈfär-

noun

foreignness

2 of 2

noun

for·​eign·​ness ˈfȯrə̇n(n)ə̇s 

ˈfär-

plural -es

1

: the quality or state of being foreign

the foreignness of his background

2

: lack of relation or appropriateness : irrelevancy

the complete foreignness of such an approach weakened the force of his thesis

Synonyms of foreign

Adjective

• international
• alien
• imported
• external

Choose the Right Synonym for foreign

extrinsic, extraneous, foreign, alien mean external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character.

extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature.

sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value

extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part.

arguments extraneous to the issue

foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated.

techniques foreign to French cuisine

alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability.

a practice totally alien to her nature

Examples of foreign in a Sentence

Adjective

They've visited several foreign countries.

We don't get many foreign visitors.

Have you studied any foreign languages?

She has a foreign accent.

the ministry of foreign affairs

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There’s no guarantee Lawrence will ever play host to a foreign national soccer team’s World Cup base camp again. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

Healthy cells carry markers that identify them as part of the body, while foreign or damaged entities are treated as candidates for containment or destruction. — Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

China closed the mountain to foreign climbers during the 2026 spring climbing season without publicly explaining the decision. — ABC News, 2 July 2026

Crow also highlighted that the president took his first flight yesterday on a brand-new Air Force One, a gift from a foreign government valued at roughly $400 million. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English forein, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin foranus on the outside, from Latin foris outside — more at forum

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foreign

• anti-foreign
• foreign affairs
• foreign aid
• foreign bill
• foreign-born
• foreign correspondent
• foreign debt
• foreign emoluments clause
• foreign exchange
• foreign minister
• foreign office
• foreign policy
• foreign service

Rhymes for foreign

• chlorin
• doron
• florin
• goran
• laurin
• morin
• leucovorin

Kids Definition

foreign

adjective

for·​eign ˈfȯr-ən 

ˈfär-

1

: located outside a place or country and especially outside one's own country

foreign nations

2

: born in, belonging to, or characteristic of a place or country other than the one under consideration

foreign language

foreign customs

3

: related to or dealing with other nations

foreign affairs

foreign office

4

: not normally found in an area or part

a foreign body in the eye

foreignness

-ən-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

foreign

adjective

for·​eign ˈfȯr-ən, ˈfär- 

1

: occurring in an abnormal situation in the living body and often introduced from outside

a foreign body lodged in the esophagus

2

: not recognized by the immune system as part of the self

foreign proteins

Legal Definition

foreign

adjective

for·​eign

: not being within the jurisdiction of a political unit (as a state)

especially : being from or in a state other than the one in which a matter is being considered

a foreign company doing business in South Carolina

a foreign executor submitting to the jurisdiction of this court

a foreign judgment

compare domestic