foreigner

noun

for·​eign·​er ˈfȯr-ə-nər 

ˈfär-

1

: a person belonging to or owing allegiance to a foreign country

2

chiefly dialectal : one not native to a place or community : stranger sense 1c

Synonyms

• nonnative
• outlander
• outsider
• stranger

Examples of foreigner in a Sentence

I can tell by your accent you're a foreigner in these parts.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the top of the list: the potential for foreigners to buy access to the sitting president, something the US Constitution explicitly prohibits. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 22 May 2025

Being a foreigner in the US without permission isn’t a crime per se, but those caught crossing the border illegally can be charged with a misdemeanor or felony if they’ve been caught and deported before. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 May 2025

The Trump administration has deported immigrants without due process and has detained foreigners at the U.S. border. —Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

The last time executions took place was July 2016, when an Indonesian and three foreigners were executed. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foreigner

• anti-foreigner

Rhymes for foreigner

• coroner

Kids Definition

foreigner

noun

for·​eign·​er ˈfȯr-ə-nər 

ˈfär-

: a person who is from a foreign country