stranger

noun strang·er \ ˈstrān-jər \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Examples: stranger in a Sentence

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

However, the Canadian cover girl wasn’t expecting for her children to endure harsh criticism from strangers.

— stephanie nolasco, Fox News, "Coco Rocha recalls being shamed online over her parenting skills: 'I would cry in the shower'," 5 July 2018
Their folk tales warn children to beware of long-haired strangers.

— The Economist, "From dusty villages to Delhi, Indians seek people to persecute," 5 July 2018
Kawhi Leonard’s relationship with the Spurs was one of the stranger stories during the NBA season, and the drama is continuing into the offseason.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "Report: Kawhi Leonard hid from the Spurs when they visited him in New York," 5 July 2018
Complete strangers from foreign countries have donated to their crowdfunding project and men who Jim lost contact with after serving with them in the Navy have reached out.

— elliot hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Here's how you can help a Vietnam War veteran who became paralyzed after falling down stairs," 3 July 2018
Many of the attacks have targeted strangers in remote communities, including people from another region or who speak a different language from the mob.

— eli meixler, Time, "Five Killed in Latest Mob Attack After Rumors on Social Media. Here’s What to Know About India's WhatsApp Murders," 3 July 2018
No stranger to Kansas City, Nikki Lane played Boulevardia two years ago and Knuckleheads earlier this year.

— bill brownlee, kansascity, "Built to Spill, Social Distortion fittingly end great music day at Middle of the Map," 1 July 2018
Perfect strangers would come up and speak to her in a store, sharing their stories and receiving her kindness and love in return.

— OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 6/29," 29 June 2018
Garbiñe Muguruza is no stranger to perseverance, not to mention the dedication that comes along with it.

— Vogue, "Tennis Star Garbiñe Muguruza on Living the Dream," 29 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

stranger Synonyms

stranger

adjective

Definition of stranger

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

Recent Examples of stranger from the Web

Every pro sports star has signed tons and tons of autographs for fans, but some of them have signed stranger things than others.

— alysha tsuji, For The Win, "J.J. Watt's weirdest autograph: Signed pregnant woman's belly, then later met her baby," 7 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of stranger

15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

stranger

verb

Definition of stranger

strangered; strangering; strangers

transitive verb

obsolete

: estrange, alienate

First Known Use of stranger

1606

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

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

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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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Definition of stranger

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stranger

Definition of 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

Definition of stranger for Students

Law Dictionary

stranger

legal Definition of stranger

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