stranger

noun strang·er \ ˈstrān-jər \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

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

Now, Kendall Jenner is no stranger to the sheer trend, often freeing the nipple or hitting a red carpet in a totally see-through dress.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Kendall Jenner Just Had a Major Wardrobe Malfunction in Cannes," 10 May 2018
Novartis is no stranger to paying for influence in Washington — it’s been publicly registered to do so since at least 1999.

— erin mershon, STAT, "Novartis paid Trump’s lawyer’s firm far more than any of its actual lobbyists," 10 May 2018
The cooperating witness who helped nail Rivera is no stranger to the legal system.

— travis andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "He sold guns and talked about ‘crazy brown’ heroin; now he’s serving a 42-month sentence," 9 May 2018
Galliano is no stranger to Catholic fashion references.

— indya brown, The Cut, "See How Rihanna’s Met Gala Pope Look Came To Life," 8 May 2018
Taylor Jenkins Reid is no stranger to writing popular books, and her latest best seller (and fifth book) The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo — which took inspiration from Old Hollywood glitz and glamour — comes out in paperback later this month.

— susannah hutcheson, USA TODAY, "Taylor Jenkins Reid: How I became a bestselling author," 8 May 2018
Dunkin’ Donuts is no stranger to making doughnuts with the royal family in mind.

— zoe szathmary, Fox News, "Dunkin' Donuts celebrates Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's royal wedding with 'Royal Love Donut'," 8 May 2018
And while the event is no stranger to the unusual outfit, the Patriots quarterback definitely made a unique wardrobe choice.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "NFL fans hilariously roasted Tom Brady's outfit at the Met Gala," 7 May 2018
Bleacher Report is no stranger to creating cartoon likenesses of NBA players, as seen in a hilarious parody video posted last month, but the art style featured there appears to be different from that displayed at the Kingstucky Derby.

— michael mcgough, sacbee, "Kings honor players' Kentucky roots with Derby day cartoon. There's just one problem | The Sacramento Bee," 5 May 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

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

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

Definition of stranger

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Origin and Etymology of stranger

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stranger

Definition of stranger

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stranger

Definition of stranger

First Known Use of 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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