# abroad

/əˈbɹɔd/ (US) · /ɐbɹˈɔːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abroad
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 2. away from home grounds

adverb · CEFR B1 · British English

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

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

- The team has a great record at home but struggles when playing abroad.
- Securing a draw abroad was considered a tactical victory for the underdog team before the return leg of the tournament.

### 3. outside or at large

adverb · CEFR C1 · Literary · Archaic

outside of a house or moving around freely in public.

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

- Few people were abroad in the streets during the heavy snowstorm.
- Rumours were soon abroad that the king had fallen ill, causing panic throughout the capital.

Teaching tip: This sense is mostly found in older literature or formal news reports; modern speakers usually say 'out and about' or 'circulating'.

### 4. foreign places

noun · CEFR B2

foreign countries or lands in general.

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

- He had just returned from abroad when the news reached him.
- The company's profits were bolstered by a sudden surge in demand from abroad.

Usage: Commonly follows the preposition 'from'.

## Examples

- She plans to study abroad next year.
- Many young professionals choose to work abroad for a few years to gain international experience and learn a new language.
- The government is currently reviewing its policies regarding citizens living abroad to ensure they maintain access to essential consular services during international crises.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.