Word
stranger
Phoneticsstranger
US/ˈstɹeɪndʒɝ/
UK/stɹˈeɪndʒɐ/
Definitions
01unknown person
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone you do not know and have never met before.
n. a person with whom one is not acquainted or familiar.
日本語:他人※
“My parents always told me not to talk to strangers in the park.”
“The child had been taught to seek help from a shopkeeper or police officer rather than following a stranger into the street.”
Antonyms
02newcomer
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who is in a place for the first time and does not know the area or the people.
n. a person who is new to a particular locality, community, or organisation.
“I am a stranger in this city, so I need to use a map to find my way.”
“As a stranger to the customs of the high court, the young clerk felt overwhelmed by the complex protocols of the morning session.”
03legal third party
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Technical · Formal
n. someone who is not involved in a legal agreement or contract.
n. a person who is not a party to a particular legal act, contract, or title.
“The contract does not give any rights to a stranger to the agreement.”
“The court ruled that a stranger to the deed could not claim damages for a breach of its specific covenants.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “stranger” in context.
Verb
01. befriend stranger
“He has a friendly habit of trying to befriend every stranger he meets.”
verb + noun
02. stranger approaches
“The dog started barking loudly as soon as the stranger approached the gate.”
noun + verb
03. stranger enters
“The room went silent the moment the stranger entered.”
noun + verb
04. talk to stranger
“My mother always told me not to talk to strangers on the street.”
verb + prep + noun
05. trust stranger
“Children are taught from a young age never to trust a stranger.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. complete stranger
“The house was full of complete strangers, so I felt quite uncomfortable.”
adj + noun
07. perfect stranger
“He walked up to a perfect stranger and started telling his life story.”
adj + noun
08. total stranger
“I can't believe she shared such personal information with a total stranger.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. kindness of strangers
“When my car broke down, I had to rely on the kindness of strangers.”
noun + prep + noun
10. no stranger to something
“The experienced journalist is no stranger to dangerous situations.”
11. take candy from strangers
“We must warn the kids never to take candy from strangers.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'total stranger' to emphasize a complete lack of acquaintance.
Pitfall
He is a strange to me
He is a stranger to me
Learners often confuse the adjective 'strange' (unusual) with the noun 'stranger' (unknown person).
Related words
The word in film
Poster: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Strangers on a Train · 1951 · Crime
- Directed by:
- Alfred Hitchcock
- Starring:
- Farley Granger, Ruth Roman, Robert Walker
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1951 psychological thriller follows two passengers who meet by chance during a rail journey. Because neither man knows the other, one proposes trading murders so that the crimes appear completely unconnected. The title highlights how a conversation between complete strangers can quickly turn dangerous.
In Literature
Cover: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — Jacket design by Ben Feder, Inc.
Stranger in a Strange Land · 1961-06-01 · Science fiction
- Author:
- Robert A. Heinlein
Robert A. Heinlein’s 1961 science fiction masterpiece follows Valentine Michael Smith, a human raised by Martians who eventually travels to Earth. As a complete stranger to human customs and social norms, Smith struggles to understand the complex culture of his own species. The story explores his unique perspective as he attempts to bridge the gap between his extraterrestrial upbringing and his new home.
Domain
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/stranger
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0