Foreigner: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe someone who is from another country. It is generally neutral and commonly used in everyday conversation and formal contexts.

• She is a foreigner, so she needs a visa to enter the country.
• Many foreigners visit this city every year.

Often used in a more formal or legal context to describe someone who is not a citizen of the country they are in. It can also connote a sense of being unwelcome or out of place.

• The government has specific regulations for alien residents.
• He felt like an alien in his new school.

Specifically used for someone who has moved to another country with the intention of permanently living there. Typically used in discussions about migration and often in a neutral to positive sense.

• She is an immigrant who has lived here for ten years.
• Immigrants contribute significantly to the economy.

Used to describe someone who does not belong to a particular group or community. It often has a negative or exclusionary connotation and can be used in both social and professional situations.

• As an outsider, he struggled to fit in with the local community.
• The company's policies made him feel like an outsider.

This term is generally used to describe someone who comes from another country. It has a neutral connotation but can sometimes be perceived negatively if used in a pejorative context.

• The city is popular among foreigners who come to explore its rich history.
• She felt like a foreigner in the new country at first, but soon adapted.

This term describes someone who is unknown or unfamiliar to another person. It is usually used in casual contexts and can imply a sense of mistrust or caution.

• Never talk to strangers, her parents always told her.
• A stranger approached me on the street asking for directions.

This term refers to someone who does not belong to a particular group, community, or organization. It can have a negative connotation depending on the context.

• As an outsider, she found it difficult to join the close-knit community.
• He always felt like an outsider at family gatherings.

This term is more formal and is commonly used in legal, government, or official contexts. It refers to someone who holds citizenship in another country.

• The embassy provides various services for foreign nationals residing in the country.
• He was recognized as a foreign national during the immigration process.