foreign

adjective

for·eign | \ ˈfȯr-ən

, ˈfär-\

Definition of foreign

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

6a : 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

Other Words from foreign Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about foreign

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Synonyms & Antonyms for foreign

Synonyms

alien, nonnative

Antonyms

domestic, native

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

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

Poroskov claims the technology can also help Russian soldiers master foreign languages and locate ambushes, warehouses, and enemy weapons caches. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Journal Claims Russian Troops Have Psychic Powers," 4 Apr. 2019 The writing is crisp and funny, as Less navigates a comedic gauntlet of awkward, international social situations like unknowingly and relentlessly butchering a foreign language. — Vox Staff, Vox, "The most thought-provoking books the Vox staff read in 2018," 21 Dec. 2018 Birds of Passage is Colombia’s submission for the 2019 foreign language Oscar category. — Jacob Kastrenakes, The Verge, "New trailers: The Lion King, Lego Movie 2, Once Upon a Deadpool, and more," 24 Nov. 2018 If traveling is not possible, get lost in a book or a foreign film. — Randon Rosenbohm, Allure, "What May’s Libra Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 30 Apr. 2019 There are a number of legal mechanisms for preventing foreign investment in US companies, from the Council on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to outright sanctions by the US Treasury. — Makena Kelly, The Verge, "Tech reckons with Saudi cash after journalist’s brutal murder," 18 Oct. 2018 The combination of unfamiliarity and a stifling sense of obligation, not to mention the need to deal with a foreign language, is similar in all three cases. — Jay Mcinerney, Vogue, "Why, Oh Why Do I Love Paris? Jay McInerney Counted the Ways in a 1986 Story for Vogue, Republished Here in Solidarity With the French Capital, Where Notre-Dame Burned," 16 Apr. 2019 Often, a smart, sweet foreign woman—a 10 in her country—settles for an American two. — Casey Wilson, Glamour, "Casey Wilson Wants You to Start Watching 90 Day Fiancé," 25 Mar. 2019 In 2016, the coronet was sold to a foreign buyer for $6.5 million. — Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, "How Queen Victoria’s Favorite Tiara Almost Caused a National Scandal," 31 Mar. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'foreign.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near foreign

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Last Updated

21 May 2019

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Time Traveler for foreign

The first known use of foreign was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for foreign

foreign

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of foreign

: located outside a particular place or country and especially outside your own country

: coming from or belonging to a different place or country

: relating to or dealing with other nations

See the full definition for foreign in the English Language Learners Dictionary

foreign

adjective

for·eign | \ ˈfȯr-ən

Kids Definition of foreign

1 : located outside of a place or country and especially outside of a person's own country a foreign nation

2 : belonging to a place or country other than the one under consideration Do you speak a foreign language?

3 : relating to or having to do with other nations foreign trade

4 : not normally belonging or wanted where found foreign material in food

foreign

adjective

for·eign | \ ˈfȯr-ən, ˈfär-

Medical Definition of foreign

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

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foreign

adjective

for·eign

Legal Definition of foreign

: 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