stranger, the: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal; common in both spoken and written English.
Quick answer
What does “stranger, the” mean?
A person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar.
A person who is new to a particular place, situation, or group; someone who is not a member of a specific community or social circle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slight preference in British English for 'stranger' in formal warnings (e.g., 'Stranger danger'), while American English may use 'stranger' more frequently in casual social contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, can imply 'outsider' or 'unknown person'. In American contexts, 'stranger' is strongly associated with cautionary advice to children.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English according to corpus data, due to common phrases like 'stranger things', 'stranger in a strange land'.
Grammar
How to Use “stranger, the” in a Sentence
stranger to + [place/situation]stranger + [verb of perception/action]a stranger + [prepositional phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stranger, the” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- She was advised not to talk to strangers on the way home from school.
- After living abroad for a decade, he felt a stranger in his own hometown.
- The village was wary of any stranger asking too many questions.
American English
- Don't accept candy from a stranger, kids.
- In a city this size, you're surrounded by strangers every day.
- He's a complete stranger to me; I've never seen him before.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like 'a stranger to the industry' meaning someone new.
Academic
Used in sociology/anthropology to discuss concepts of 'the Other' or social integration.
Everyday
Very common for referring to unknown individuals or feeling out of place.
Technical
Not typically technical; used in legal contexts occasionally (e.g., 'stranger to the contract').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stranger, the”
- Using 'stranger' for someone you know slightly (incorrect: *'He's a stranger from my gym' – correct: 'an acquaintance').
- Overusing in formal writing where 'unfamiliar individual' might be better.
- Confusing 'stranger' with 'foreigner' (a foreigner can be a friend, not necessarily a stranger).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is neutral, describing a lack of familiarity. Context gives it positive ('kind stranger'), negative ('suspicious stranger'), or neutral tone.
A stranger is unknown to you personally. A foreigner is from a different country. A foreigner can be your friend (not a stranger), and a stranger can be from your own country.
Rarely in modern English. The adjective is 'strange'. The phrase 'stranger things' is an example where it remains a noun ('things that are stranger').
It means 'familiar with' or 'having experience of', often with something difficult or negative. E.g., 'She's no stranger to hardship' means she has experienced hardship before.
A person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar.
Stranger, the is usually neutral to formal; common in both spoken and written english. in register.
Stranger, the: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstreɪn.dʒər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstreɪn.dʒɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Stranger things have happened”
- “Stranger in a strange land”
- “No stranger to [something]”
- “Better the devil you know than the devil you don't”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'strange' + '-er' = a person who is strange or unknown to you.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING / UNKNOWING IS BLINDNESS ('I'm in the dark about who they are'); COMMUNITY IS A CIRCLE / STRANGER IS OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'stranger' used INCORRECTLY?