stranger

noun strang·er \ ˈstrān-jər \

Definition of stranger

1 :one who is strange: such as

a (1) :foreigner

(2) :a resident alien

b :one in the house of another as a guest, visitor, or intruder

c :a person or thing that is unknown or with whom one is unacquainted

d :one who does not belong to or is kept from the activities of a group

e :one not privy or party to an act, contract, or title :one that interferes without right

2 :one ignorant of or unacquainted with someone or something

See stranger defined for English-language learners

See stranger defined for kids

Examples of stranger in a Sentence

Children are taught not to talk to strangers.
He is a complete stranger to me.
“Excuse me. Do you know where the library is?” “I'm sorry. I'm a stranger here myself.”
I'm a stranger to the area.

Recent Examples of stranger from the Web

Aso is no stranger to gaffes, having retracted a comment in 2013 about Hitler's rise to power that was interpreted as praising the Nazi regime.

— keshiahannam, Fortune, "Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Retracts Hitler Comment," 29 Aug. 2017
Hernandez pointed to #yesallwomen, which allowed hundreds of thousands of strangers to discuss violence against women and share their anger and horror about abuse and sexism.

— the new york times, NOLA.com, "As the hashtag marks its 10th birthday, are we #blessed?," 24 Aug. 2017
This interview is one of the stranger things that has happened to me!

— esther langham, Teen Vogue, "Millie Bobby Brown and Drew Barrymore Open Up About Instant Fame and Family," 17 Aug. 2017
Consumer Reports has been here before Consumer Reports is no stranger to controversy.

— mark hachman, PCWorld, "Consumer Reports' Surface Laptop flap is based on data from past Surface models," 11 Aug. 2017
Alabama's been lucky recently but is no stranger to hurricanes.

— leigh morgan, AL.com, "Tropical Storm Franklin 2017 enters Bay of Campeche," 8 Aug. 2017
And, on Thursday night, the president* was going to West Virginia on one of his regular expeditions to be adored by a hall full of strangers.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Even President* Trump Can't Get the Best of a Grand Jury," 3 Aug. 2017
A woman was arrested Friday afternoon after overdosing in a Findlay Market bathroom and receiving doses of Narcan by strangers, according to a police report.

— mariel padilla, Cincinnati.com, "Strangers administered Narcan to woman overdosing in Findlay market, police say," 17 July 2017
Bella Thorne is no stranger to dealing with relationship gossip.

— de elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Bella Thorne Opens Up About Tyler Posey Breakup Rumors and Charlie Puth," 17 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stranger.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of stranger

Middle English, from Anglo-French estrangier stranger, foreigner, from estrange

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

stranger Synonyms

Synonyms

foreigner, nonnative, outlander, outsider

Antonyms

native

Related Words

alien, nonresident; outcast, pariah; drifter, transient, wanderer

Near Antonyms

buddy, chum, comrade, confidant, crony, familiar, friend, intimate, pal; acquaintance, associate, cohort, colleague, companion, fellow, hearty, hobnobber, mate, partner, peer; citizen, habitant, inhabitant, resident

stranger

adjective

Definition of stranger

:of, relating to, or being a stranger :foreign

Recent Examples of stranger from the Web

Stranger Things season two is available in all its '80s glory (Arcade games!

— ashley edwards walker, Glamour, "The First Full Trailer for Season 2 of 'Stranger Things' Is Here," 23 July 2017
Stranger Things To be fair, where were his parents?

— julia emmanuele, PEOPLE.com, "15 of Kenan Thompson's Most Hysterical & Unforgettable Saturday Night Live Moments," 7 May 2017

First Known Use of stranger

15th century

stranger

verb

Definition of stranger

transitive verb

obsolete

:estrange, alienate

First Known Use of stranger

1606

STRANGER Defined for English Language Learners

stranger

noun

Definition of stranger for English Language Learners

: someone who you have not met before or do not know
: someone who has not experienced something
: someone who is in a new and unfamiliar place

STRANGER Defined for Kids

stranger

noun strang·er \ ˈstrān-jər \

Definition of stranger for Students

1 :a person in a new or unfamiliar place

She is a stranger here and does not know her way around.

2 :a person whom another person does not know or has not met

Children should not talk to strangers.

Law Dictionary

stranger

noun strang·er

legal Definition of stranger

:someone who is not a party or in privity with a party (as to a contract or legal action)

may be enforced against a stranger to the contract

Learn More about stranger

See words that rhyme with stranger Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stranger Spanish Central: Translation of stranger Nglish: Translation of stranger for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stranger for Arabic speakers

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stranger

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stranger

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STRANGER Defined for English Language Learners

stranger

Definition of stranger for English Language Learners

STRANGER Defined for Kids

stranger

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stranger

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