Word
foreigner
Meanings
a person from a different country, especially someone who is visiting or living in another country
a person who is not a member of a particular group or community; an outsider
Definition
A foreigner is someone who comes from another country.
A foreigner is a person who is not a citizen of the country they are in, or who comes from a different country. The word is often used in everyday contexts to describe nationality or origin. Depending on tone and situation, it can sound neutral or slightly distancing, so many speakers prefer “foreign national” or “international visitor” in formal settings.
Examples
- As a foreigner in Tokyo, I quickly learned how useful a few polite phrases could be.
- She disliked being treated like a foreigner at work just because her accent was different.
- The museum guide spoke slowly so that the foreigner in our group could follow the explanations.
- They invited him in, even though he was a foreigner to their neighborhood and knew no one there.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use “foreigner” when they mean “foreign,” but “foreigner” is a person while “foreign” describes something (e.g., a foreign language).
More at C1 level
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