foreign

adjective

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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 Iran's foreign ministry rejected and strongly condemned any accusations against the country over Monday's incident. — Samya Kullab, Star Tribune, "US-led coalition: Rocket attack in Iraq killed contractor," 16 Feb. 2021 Danon also shared an out-of-service phone number for the Israeli foreign ministry. — Katherine Doyle, Washington Examiner, "'Not an intentional diss': Biden has not spoken to Netanyahu or other key Middle Eastern leaders," 12 Feb. 2021 They are often seen as valuable assets by the incumbent White House, given their stature and access to the top levels of foreign governments. — Shane Harris, Anchorage Daily News, "Biden says ‘erratic’ Trump should not receive intelligence briefings," 6 Feb. 2021 The foreign ministry released a rare statement that addressed the tweets without naming anyone specifically. — New York Times, "Modi’s Response to Farmer Protests in India Stirs Fears of a Pattern," 3 Feb. 2021 Democratic lawmakers and government watchdogs argued the most flagrant violations happened when government officials – including some from foreign governments – spend lavishly at the Trump International Hotel a few blocks from the White House. — John Fritze, USA TODAY, "Supreme Court dismisses cases questioning Trump profits from private businesses," 26 Jan. 2021 The company is best known for offering derivatives products that let individual investors overseas bet on whether stocks, foreign-exchange rates, gold or cryptocurrencies will rise or fall. — Alexander Osipovich, WSJ, "Britain’s IG Group to Buy U.S. Options Firm Tastytrade for $1 Billion," 21 Jan. 2021 They are often seen as representing the United States, especially by foreign leaders, for the duration of their lifetime. — Shane Harris, Anchorage Daily News, "Biden says ‘erratic’ Trump should not receive intelligence briefings," 6 Feb. 2021 And loud, coarse bowings in the cadenzas (adapted from Beethoven’s piano concerto arrangement of the piece) seemed utterly foreign. — Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, "Fabio Luisi leads Dallas Symphony premiere of atmospheric Angélica Negrón piece," 5 Feb. 2021

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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Last Updated

24 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Foreign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreign. Accessed 28 Feb. 2021.

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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

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