What does "abroad" mean?

1. (away from home grounds) playing a game at the opponent's stadium rather than your own. 2. (outside or at large) outside of a house or moving around freely in public. 3. (foreign places) foreign countries or lands in general.

How do you use "abroad"?

Commonly follows the preposition 'from'.

abroad

US //əˈbɹɔd// UK //ɐbɹˈɔːd// abroad

1 away from home grounds (adv.)
B1 Intermediate British English Sport

playing a game at the opponent's stadium rather than your own.

relating to a sports fixture played at the opponent's venue rather than the home ground.

Example

The team has a great record at home but struggles when playing abroad.

Example

Securing a draw abroad was considered a tactical victory for the underdog team before the return leg of the tournament.
- away
- home
2 outside or at large (adv.)
C1 Advanced Literary Archaic

outside of a house or moving around freely in public.

outside the confines of a home or building; circulating freely within a community.

Example

Few people were abroad in the streets during the heavy snowstorm.

Example

Rumours were soon abroad that the king had fallen ill, causing panic throughout the capital.

Teacher's tip

This sense is mostly found in older literature or formal news reports; modern speakers usually say 'out and about' or 'circulating'.
- inside
- indoors

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3 foreign places (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

foreign countries or lands in general.

foreign lands or countries collectively. Used as the object of a preposition.

Example

He had just returned from abroad when the news reached him.

Example

The company's profits were bolstered by a sudden surge in demand from abroad.

Usage

Commonly follows the preposition 'from'.
- overseas

Origin

First attested in the mid 13th century, from the Middle English abrood, meaning broadly or widely scattered. The term is formed from the prefix a-, signifying on or in, and brood, meaning broad. It remains a simple compound of a- + broad.