foreign

for·eign

adj \ˈfȯr-ən, ˈfär-\

Definition of FOREIGN

1

: situated outside a place or country; especially : situated outside one's own country

2

: born in, belonging to, or characteristic of some place or country other than the one under consideration

3

: of, relating to, or proceeding from some other person or material thing than the one under consideration

4

: alien in character : not connected or pertinent

5

: related to or dealing with other nations

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 (as a state)

— for·eign·ness \-ən-nəs\ noun

Examples of FOREIGN

1. They've visited several foreign countries.
2. We don't get many foreign visitors.
3. Have you studied any foreign languages?
4. She has a foreign accent.
5. the ministry of foreign affairs

Origin of FOREIGN

Middle English forein, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin foranus on the outside, from Latin foris outside — more at forum

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to FOREIGN

Synonyms: alien, nonnative

Antonyms: domestic, native

Related Words: imported, introduced, naturalized, transplanted; external, international, multiculti, multicultural, multilateral, multinational; foreign-born, nonindigenous; distant, far-off, overseas, remote; bizarre, exotic, outlandish, strange

Near Antonyms: endemic, local; aboriginal, indigenous

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at extrinsic

Rhymes with FOREIGN

sarin