foreigner
foreigner
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "foreigner" is /ˈfɒrɪnər/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
For-: /ˈfɒr/
/f/ as in "fan"
/ɒ/ as in "cot" (or /ɔː/ as in "thought" in some dialects)
/r/ as in "red"
eign-: /ɪn/
/ɪ/ as in "sit"
/n/ as in "no"
er: /ər/
/ə/ as in "about" (schwa sound)
/r/ as in "red"
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: foreigner
Plural Noun: foreigners
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Foreigner
A person who is a citizen of a country other than the one in which they are currently residing or visiting. This term emphasizes their status as an outsider to the local citizenry.
Synonyms: alien, non-native, outsider, stranger (in some contexts)
Antonyms: native, citizen, national, local
An individual who is unfamiliar with the customs, language, or social norms of a particular place or group, often due to originating from a different cultural background. This definition highlights a perceived lack of belonging or understanding.
Synonyms: newcomer, outlander, greenhorn (informal), tenderfoot (informal)
Antonyms: insider, old-timer, habitué
Examples of Use
In Books
Literary Fiction: "He always felt like a foreigner in his own land, a sentiment exacerbated by the subtle glances and whispers when he attempted to speak the local dialect, which he had never truly mastered." (Original example, drawing on themes common in immigrant literature).
Historical Non-Fiction: "The arrival of European traders, often seen as foreigners by the indigenous populations, brought both new opportunities and unforeseen challenges to the established social orders." (Original example, common in historical accounts of exploration and colonialism).
Travel Literature: "Despite years of living in Tokyo, she sometimes still felt like a bewildered foreigner, especially when navigating the intricate public transportation system during rush hour." (Original example, reflecting personal experiences of cultural immersion).
In Newspapers and Online Publications
News Article Headline: "New Immigration Policies Spark Debate Over Rights of Foreigners" (The Independent, example based on common news headlines)
Opinion Piece: "While some argue that foreigners burden our social services, data consistently shows their significant contributions to the economy." (Original example, mirroring common arguments in public discourse on immigration).
Travel Blog/Online Magazine: "Tips for Foreigners Navigating the Healthcare System in Germany" (Original example, typical of online guides for expatriates or travelers).
Business News: "Investment in the tech sector has seen a surge, largely driven by foreigners seeking new opportunities in emerging markets." (Original example, common in economic reports).
In Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film Dialogue (Subtitles): "He is a foreigner, he does not understand our traditions." (Often used in films to highlight cultural differences or misunderstandings, e.g., in a historical drama or a fish-out-of-water comedy).
Television Series (Character Description): "The enigmatic new character, a foreigner with a mysterious past, quickly became a central figure in the town's unfolding drama." (Original example, a common trope in TV series for introducing intrigue).
Song Lyrics: "I felt like a foreigner in my own home, a stranger to the people I once knew." (Original example, often used metaphorically in songs about feeling alienated or disconnected).
Video Game Dialogue: "Only a foolish foreigner would dare challenge the ancient spirits of this land!" (Often used by non-player characters to denote an outsider or someone unfamiliar with lore).
In General Public Discourse
Casual Conversation: "The new restaurant down the street is run by foreigners, and their food is absolutely amazing." (Common, everyday usage, often neutral or positive).
Political Rally Speech: "We must prioritize our own citizens, not cater to the demands of foreigners who do not share our values." (Used in a more divisive or nationalistic context).
Community Meeting: "We need to ensure that foreigners living in our community have access to the same resources and support as everyone else." (Used in a context advocating for inclusivity and integration).
Social Media Commentary: "It's always interesting to hear the perspective of a foreigner on our local customs; sometimes they notice things we take for granted." (Neutral or positive use, highlighting different viewpoints).
10 Famous Quotes Using Foreigner
"A man who has traveled the world, for pleasure or business, must be a foreigner to his own country. He has left too many pieces of himself in other lands." (Isabelle Eberhardt)
"The first duty of a man is to get a living. The second is to get a life. The third is to be a foreigner in your own country." (George Santayana)
"No one is a foreigner anywhere in the world." (Kofi Annan)
"We are all foreigners somewhere." (Attributed to various sources)
"I am no longer a foreigner here, but a stranger in my own home." (Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist - often a metaphorical use)
"A truly global organization treats no one as a foreigner, but embraces diversity as its strength." (Original quote, reflecting modern corporate philosophy)
"To be an artist is to be a foreigner in the world, forever observing, never truly belonging." (Original quote, metaphorical use)
"When you are a foreigner, you are always an ambassador for your country, whether you like it or not." (Attributed to various diplomats)
"The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border? There is a certain kind of love that can embrace the whole world. It is the love of a foreigner for his fellow humans." (Original quote, emphasizing global unity)
"He who is a foreigner to the truth, finds every land strange." (Lesser-known philosophical quote, often attributed to ancient wisdom traditions)
Etymology
The word "foreigner" has a clear and interesting history that points to its core meaning of "being from outside."
It comes to us from the Old French word "forain", which meant "strange, foreign; outer, external, outdoor; remote, out-of-the-way." This Old French word, in turn, came from the Medieval Latin word "foraneus", meaning "on the outside, exterior." And going even further back, "foraneus" comes from the Latin word "foris", which was an adverb meaning "outside," and literally "out of doors." Interestingly, "foris" is related to the Latin word for "door". So, you can imagine the original idea being about someone or something literally "out of the door" of a particular place or community.
The word "foreigner" as we know it in English started to appear around the early 15th century (specifically, the Oxford English Dictionary cites its earliest evidence from 1422). It was formed by taking the adjective "foreign" and adding the common English suffix "-er," which usually indicates a person who does something or is connected with something (like "worker" or "baker").
So, when "foreigner" first came into use, it meant a person who was "born in another country" or someone "outside the boundaries of a country." However, it could also refer to someone from a different parish, town, or region, not just another country. For example, old records from Liverpool show rules against any "foreigner, as men of Bolton, Blackburne or any other places," meaning people from other towns within the same country.
Over time, its main meaning became focused on a person from a different country, especially one whose native language is different. Its spelling also changed in the 17th century, possibly influenced by words like "reign" or "sovereign."
In short, "foreigner" literally means someone who is "from outside" – originally from outside a door, then outside a community, and eventually, most commonly, outside a nation.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Foreigner
A foreigner in my own land/country: To feel alienated or out of place in one's native environment.
Speak like a foreigner: To speak with an accent or in a way that indicates one is not a native speaker.
The kindness of foreigners: Referring to unexpected help or hospitality received from people in a strange land.
No foreigner to trouble: (Lesser-known, original) Indicating someone who has frequently experienced difficulties or hardships.
To treat someone as a foreigner: To exclude or differentiate against someone, making them feel unwelcome or like an outsider.
Look like a foreigner: To appear visibly different from the local population, often due to dress or physical features.
An alien concept: (Using synonym) An idea or notion that is completely new and unfamiliar to someone.
Lost in a foreign land: (Using synonym) To be disoriented and unfamiliar with one's surroundings, often due to travel.
A stranger in a strange land: (Using synonym) Feeling out of place or alone in an unfamiliar environment.
Not a native speaker: (Using synonym) Referring to someone whose first language is not the one being spoken, implying a "foreign" linguistic background.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of foreigner from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
