Word
foreigner
Phoneticsfor·eign·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɑɹənɝ/
UK/fˈɒɹənɐ/
Definitions
01person from another country
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person who was born in or comes from a country that is not your own.
n. a person belonging to or coming from a foreign country. While technically neutral, it is often replaced by 'international visitor' or 'immigrant' in sensitive contexts to avoid sounding exclusionary.
日本語:外国人※
“When I first moved to Tokyo, I felt like a foreigner because I didn't speak the language.”
“The new legislation aims to simplify the visa process for foreigners who wish to establish small businesses within the country.”
Usage
Countable noun.
Pitfall
The city is full of foreigners tourists.
The city is full of foreign tourists.
Use the adjective 'foreign' to describe a noun. 'Foreigner' is a noun and cannot be used as a modifier.
Teaching tip
Advise students that while this word is common, using 'locals' and 'visitors' or 'expats' often sounds more natural and polite in casual conversation.
02unofficial private work
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal · British English · Dialect
n. a private job that a worker does for their own profit instead of for their employer.
n. an unofficial or private piece of work undertaken by an employee, typically using the employer's tools or time, without the employer's knowledge.
“The mechanic did a few foreigners on the weekend to make some extra cash.”
“Management began cracking down on staff who were using the factory lathes to complete foreigners during their lunch breaks.”
Usage
Common in British and Australian trades slang.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “foreigner” in context.
Verb
01. mistake him for a foreigner
“Because of his slight accent, people often mistake him for a foreigner.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
02. treat foreigners with respect
“The local community prides itself on treating foreigners with respect and hospitality.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. welcome the foreigners
“The villagers gathered at the port to welcome the foreigners who had just arrived.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. illegal foreigner
“The government is implementing stricter border controls to reduce the number of illegal foreigners.”
adj + noun
05. resident foreigner
“The new tax laws apply to every resident foreigner living in the country for more than six months.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. hostility toward foreigners
“The rise of nationalism has unfortunately fueled hostility toward foreigners in some urban areas.”
noun + prep + noun
07. influx of foreigners
“The sudden influx of foreigners has led to a significant increase in the demand for short-term housing.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“Some 'extranjería' offices in Spain are succeeding in preventing scammers from charging desperate foreigners for residency appointments by sidestepping the traditional 'cita previa' system.” “Foreigners accounted for 39.3% of Incheon’s passengers in the first half of the year, up from 35.2% for the whole of 2025.” Etymology
From Middle English forner, foreyner, foroner, forenere, augmentation of earlier forein (“foreigner”), from the adjective. Equivalent to foreign + -er. Use of the -er suffix may be due to analogy with Middle English straunger (“stranger”). Displaced native Old English elþēodiġ.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/foreigner
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0