foreigner
B1Neutral, slightly formal. The term is standard but may be considered slightly dated or impersonal compared to alternatives like 'international person' or 'someone from abroad' in some sensitive contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A person born in or coming from a country other than the one they are currently in.
A person who is not a citizen of the country where they are residing; someone who is unfamiliar with or external to a particular group, culture, or system.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term inherently implies an 'outsider' status relative to a national or cultural in-group. While descriptive, it can carry neutral, negative, or positive connotations depending on context and tone. It is primarily a noun and not commonly used as an adjective (use 'foreign' instead).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The term is standard in both varieties. British English may more readily use 'foreigner' in historical or formal political contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term can be perceived as blunt or slightly othering in polite discourse. In American English, it might be slightly more charged in immigration-related contexts.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English corpus data, likely due to historical context and proximity to multiple nations.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
foreigner + in + [country/city]foreigner + from + [country]foreigner + to + [person/place]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"A foreigner in a foreign land" (emphasizing unfamiliarity)”
- “"To feel like a foreigner" (to feel out of place)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contexts of international hiring, market expansion, or legal compliance (e.g., 'quotas for foreign workers').
Academic
Used in sociology, political science, and law to discuss citizenship, migration, and identity.
Everyday
Common in travel and personal experience narratives (e.g., 'I was a foreigner there'). Can be sensitive.
Technical
Used in legal documents (e.g., 'foreigner registration') and government forms.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A – not standard as a verb.
American English
- N/A – not standard as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – not derived.
American English
- N/A – not derived.
adjective
British English
- N/A – use 'foreign'. 'Foreigner' is a noun only.
American English
- N/A – use 'foreign'. 'Foreigner' is a noun only.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is a foreigner in London.
- My neighbour is a friendly foreigner.
- The new law affects every foreigner working in the country.
- As a foreigner, he needed a visa to stay longer.
- The company has specific onboarding procedures for foreigners to help them integrate.
- Despite being a foreigner, she had an intricate understanding of local politics.
- The novelist often explores the psyche of the foreigner, perpetually caught between assimilation and cultural fidelity.
- His research deconstructs the legal concept of the 'foreigner' in 19th-century statute.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'FOREIGN-ER' – someone connected to a FOREIGN land. The '-ER' suffix indicates a person, like 'teacher' or 'worker'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE OUTSIDER IS A FOREIGNER (mapping the concept of unfamiliarity onto geopolitical origin).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'иностранец' into all contexts, as 'foreigner' can sound more impersonal. In friendly contexts, 'someone from [country]' is often better.
- The Russian 'иностранец' is more neutral; English 'foreigner' has a slightly stronger 'otherness' nuance.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'foriegner' or 'foreinger'.
- Using it as an adjective ('a foreigner person' is wrong; use 'foreign person').
- Overusing in polite conversation where 'visitor' or 'international guest' is more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST neutral and contemporary alternative to 'foreigner' in a formal business report about workforce diversity?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not inherently offensive, but it is a blunt, categorical term that defines someone by their 'otherness.' In many polite, modern contexts, more specific or person-first phrases like 'international visitor,' 'person from [country],' or 'non-national' are preferred to avoid potential negative connotations.
'Foreigner' is a broad term for someone from another country. 'Immigrant' specifically refers to someone who has moved to a new country to settle permanently. 'Expatriate' (or 'expat') often implies a temporary resident, sometimes for work, and can carry connotations of privilege or choice.
No. The correct adjective is 'foreign' (e.g., 'foreign nationals,' 'foreign languages'). Using 'foreigner' as an adjective (e.g., 'foreigner workers') is incorrect.
The spelling 'foreign' comes from Old French 'forain,' and the 'g' was inserted in Middle English by analogy with words like 'reign.' It has never been pronounced in the standard English derivation, making the pronunciation /ˈfɒr.ən.ər/ (UK) or /ˈfɔːr.ən.ər/ (US).