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

The Georgian government has argued that its legislation is needed to prevent foreign influence in Georgian politics. —Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024

The Asian giant is trying to court foreign investment to reinvigorate its economy, which has faltered because of a housing slowdown. —Melissa Eddy, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2024

Abe was the first foreign leader to meet Trump after the 2016 election, presenting him with a golden golf club in a penthouse at Trump Tower. —Tomohiko Taniguchi, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2024

The first digit, in the IP code, ranking from zero to six, refers to how suitable a product is to withstand solid foreign objects, such as dust. —Mason Leib, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024

This case suggests that the introduction of foreign proteins via the vaccine (intended to help the body build an immune response against the virus) may have led to the development of neutralizing antibodies. —Taryn Brooke, Allure, 16 Apr. 2024

Such a reaction would have seemed foreign during the charmed 2022-23 season, when fans basked in the unexpected glow of the startup Kings’ first winning record in 16 years. —Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 14 Apr. 2024

Cybersecurity experts weighed in to suggest that foreign actors might be behind it, trying to compromise powerful people and obtain sensitive information. —Karla Adam, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Two senior figures in Britain’s intelligence community — former national security adviser Peter Ricketts and Alex Younger, the former head of the MI6 foreign spy service — have said those sales should be used as leverage. —NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024

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

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