Foreigner

/ˈfɔːrɪnər/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person from a foreign country.

The conference will attract many foreigner participants from various countries.

A person who is not a citizen of the country in which they are living or working.

As a foreigner in a new city, she often felt out of place.

Someone who is not familiar with the customs and culture of a particular place.

He was treated kindly despite being a foreigner in their traditional community.

The word 'foreigner' originates from Middle English, derived from the word 'forein', meaning 'external' or 'alien'.

foreigner's privilege

The advantage given to foreigners in certain situations.

foreign affairs

Matters relating to or concerning foreign countries.

foreign language

A language not native to one's own country.

immigrant

A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.

expatriate

A person who lives outside their native country.

citizen

A legally recognized subject or national of a state.

Yank

He is just a Yank passing through Europe.

Gweilo

In Hong Kong, some locals refer to Western foreigners as Gweilo.