abroad

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbrȯd 

1

: beyond the boundaries of one's country : in or to a foreign country

traveling abroad

hopes to study abroad next year

both at home and abroad

a family that came here from abroad [=from a foreign country] several years ago

2

: over a wide area : widely

wolves venturing abroad in increasing numbers

3

old-fashioned : away from one's home

doesn't go walking abroad at night

4

formal : in wide circulation : about

There are rumors abroad that the company is in trouble.

5

: wide of the mark : astray

Examples of abroad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The remaining package instead calls for studies on simplifying Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) filings and tax reporting, the broader tax burdens facing Americans abroad, and additional time to challenge certain math-error assessments. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

That is unlikely going to change now, especially as China sees how unpopular the ongoing conflict has been within the US and abroad, and as Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to visit the United States next month. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Iran wants sanctions relief and the unfreezing of tens of billions of dollars in assets held abroad. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026

In addition, brokers and financial intermediaries routed payments to offshore counterparties to allow Chinese citizens to use domestic currency to purchase property abroad or to trade overseas investment for foreign visas and passports. — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abrod, abrood, from a- a- entry 1 + brod, brood broad entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for abroad

• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod
• tripod

Kids Definition

abroad

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbrȯd 

1

: over a wide area

2

: away from one's home

doesn't go abroad at night

3

: in or to foreign countries

travel abroad

4

formal : in wide circulation

rumors were abroad