Meaning & Definition of word "Stranger"

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    Stranger

    /ˈstreɪn.dʒər/

    noun:

    • 1. A person whom one does not know.
      • Example: She felt uneasy walking home alone at night with a stranger nearby.
    • 2. A person who is new to or unfamiliar with a place or situation.
      • Example: As a stranger in the city, he relied on his map to navigate his way.
    • 3. A person who is not a member of a particular group or community.
      • Example: The meeting felt exclusive, as everyone there seemed to know each other, and I was just a stranger.

    Etymology

    Middle English: from Old French 'estrangier', from Latin 'extraneus' meaning 'external, foreign.'

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    A stranger in a strange land:

    Someone who feels out of place or unfamiliar in their surroundings.

    Stranger danger:

    A warning to children about the potential dangers of unknown individuals.

    No stranger to:

    Experienced with or familiar with something.

    Stranger than fiction:

    Referring to something that is so unusual that it seems unbelievable.

    Related Words

    familiar:

    Known, recognized, or well-acquainted with someone or something.

    acquaintance:

    A person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend.

    Slang Meanings of stranger

    Meaning: A newbie or someone unfamiliar with the local area.

    Example Sentence: He's a total stranger around here; he just moved to the city.

    Meaning: Someone who is not part of a group or clique.

    Example Sentence: She felt like a stranger at the party, not knowing anyone.