foreign

adjective for·eign \ ˈfȯr-ən , ˈfär- \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: foreign in a Sentence

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

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

play \ˈfȯr-ən-nəs, ˈfär-\ noun

See foreign defined for English-language learners

See foreign defined for kids

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 of foreign from the Web

Its scale threatens national security, discourages foreign investors and saps public services of funds.

— max bearak, Washington Post, "Kenyans have had it with corruption. Their leaders may finally be doing something about it.," 13 July 2018
China is the No. 1 foreign investor in U.S. Treasuries, with holdings of $1.18 trillion at the end of April, according to the Department of the Treasury and Federal Reserve.

— paul davidson, USA TODAY, "Trade wars are damaging, so why is Trump fighting one with China?," 13 July 2018
But with double-digit inflation and a generally waning appetite for emerging markets, any sign that Turkey intends to loosen its monetary policy could alarm foreign investors, economists say, potentially sending the lira into a tailspin.

— david gauthier-villars, WSJ, "New Turkish Finance Minister Vows to Fight Inflation," 13 July 2018
Quiros and Stenger were accused of misusing $200 million raised from foreign investors through the EB-5 visa program, which helps foreigners obtain permanent residency by investing in job-creating developments.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Two friends who worked at different pharmaceutical companies convicted of insider trading," 12 July 2018
Jay Peak owner Ariel Quiros and former Jay president William Stenger were accused in 2016 of misusing more than $200 million raised from foreign investors through the EB-5 visa program for developments at or near the resort.

— lisa rathke, The Seattle Times, "Feds order shutdown of Vermont immigrant investor center," 10 July 2018
The Federal Reserve continues to hold large amounts of long-term bonds on their balance sheet and demand by foreign investors is strong, which helps explain why long-term rates are not also rising.

— phillip molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Is a flattening yield curve a sign of a coming recession?," 6 July 2018
In the past few decades, China has always been one of the most popular markets for foreign investors.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "On Eve of Trade War, China Warns That Trump’s Tariffs Will Backfire," 5 July 2018
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is warning that the cuts carry a steep price: an unprecedented level of debt for the country, a greater dependence on foreign investors and the risk of another financial crisis.

— latimes.com, "Today: The Travel Ban and the Echoes of a 1944 Case," 27 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of foreign

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

foreign Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

FOREIGN Defined for English Language Learners

foreign

adjective

Definition of foreign for English Language Learners

: 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

FOREIGN Defined for Kids

foreign

adjective for·eign \ ˈfȯr-ən \

Definition of foreign for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

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

Law Dictionary

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