foreign

adjective

for·​eign ˈfȯr-ən How to pronounce foreign (audio)
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 thoughtsJonathan 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 noun
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 On Sunday, people were trying to exchange rials for foreign currency at Tehran's main hub of exchange shops in Ferdowsi Street, but most were closed due to the Nowruz holidays, which are run from March 20 to April 2. Amir Vahdat, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024 During a week-long pause in November, Hamas freed more than 100 Israeli and foreign hostages in exchange for Israel releasing about 240 Palestinian prisoners, according to Reuters. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024 Lawmakers passed six of them earlier this month, but the outstanding bills are related to key issue areas including defense and foreign operations. USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024 At the very least, foreign businesses can expect to experience the sort of raids that have become more common on the mainland. The Editors, National Review, 21 Mar. 2024 Book club possibilities include choosing several books to read by a favorite author or on a certain theme, such as baby animals, outer space, sports, dinosaurs, historical figures, magic, or a foreign country. Alesandra Dubin, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024 But the human immune system rejects foreign tissue, causing life-threatening complications, and experts note that long-term rejection can occur even when donors are well matched. Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Got a gig picking up people’s food or groceries and got paid by foreign sources? Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 Because of this regulatory crackdown, some companies are looking to expand in foreign markets, like the U.S., where censorship is less of an issue. Faye Bradley, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foreign.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreign was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near foreign

Cite this Entry

“Foreign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreign. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

foreign

adjective
for·​eign ˈfȯr-ən How to pronounce foreign (audio)
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 noun

Medical Definition

foreign

adjective
for·​eign ˈfȯr-ən, ˈfär- How to pronounce foreign (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on foreign

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