foreign

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

Synonyms

• alien
• nonnative

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

Late 19th century newspapers depicted the spirit as a foreign, exotic drink, associated primarily with Russian immigrants who brought their drinking traditions with them. —Time, 4 June 2025

Announced last week and signed by Trump on Tuesday, the order doubles tariffs from 25% to 50% on all metals imports to the U.S., with the president stating that the move will protect the U.S. steel industry amid a flood of cheaper foreign steel imports and weaker global demand. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 June 2025

Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025

Recently, Bukele passed a law cracking down on human rights, pro-democracy and anti-corruption groups that receive foreign funding. —Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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
• taurine
• 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