foreign
adjective
for·eign ˈfȯr-ən 
ˈfär-
1
: situated outside a place or country
especially : situated outside one's own country
foreign cities
2
: born in, belonging to, or characteristic of some place or country other than the one under consideration
has a large foreign population
foreign languages
3
: of, relating to, or proceeding from some other person or material thing than the one under consideration
foreign aid
4
: alien in character : not connected or pertinent
this design is not foreign from some people's thoughts
Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift5
: related to or dealing with other nations
foreign trade
6
a
: occurring in an abnormal situation in the living body and often introduced from outside
a foreign body lodged in the esophagus
b
: not recognized by the immune system as part of the self
foreign proteins
7
: not being within the jurisdiction of a political unit (such as a state)
foreign corporations
foreignness
ˈfȯr-ən-nəs
noun ˈfär-
Synonyms
- alien
- nonnative
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
They've visited several foreign countries. We don't get many foreign visitors. Have you studied any foreign languages? She has a foreign accent. the ministry of foreign affairs
Recent Examples on the Web Last week European Union foreign ministers agreed to suspend a visa agreement with Moscow that gives Russian citizens inexpensive and easy access to the bloc. Ann M. Simmons, WSJ, 3 Sep. 2022 The European Union is divided over whether to ban tourist visas for Russians as E.U. foreign ministers meet in Prague on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss this and other proposals to further sanction Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 High-level representatives from member states, including the prime minister of Japan, the U.S. secretary of state and dozens of foreign ministers and delegations, attended. Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2022 The issue may come to a head next week at an E.U. foreign ministers meeting in Prague, but not all Western nations are on the same page. Josh Lederman, NBC News, 27 Aug. 2022 Appointed in 2013, Mr. Wang, 68, is one of China’s longest serving foreign ministers in recent memory. New York Times, 21 Aug. 2022 Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Turkey in March, followed by visits by both countries' foreign ministers, helped thaw tensions after more than a decade of strained relations. Hadas Gold And Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 17 Aug. 2022 The Czech Republic will put a proposal for a broad ban on visas issued to Russian citizens at an EU foreign ministers meeting later this month. Bloomberg.com, 12 Aug. 2022 This year, election officials face not only the continuing threat of foreign interference but also ransomware, politically motivated hackers and insider threats. Zeke Miller, Chris Megerian, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 See More
Ann M. Simmons, WSJ, 3 Sep. 2022 The European Union is divided over whether to ban tourist visas for Russians as E.U. foreign ministers meet in Prague on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss this and other proposals to further sanction Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2022 High-level representatives from member states, including the prime minister of Japan, the U.S. secretary of state and dozens of foreign ministers and delegations, attended. Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2022 The issue may come to a head next week at an E.U. foreign ministers meeting in Prague, but not all Western nations are on the same page. Josh Lederman, NBC News, 27 Aug. 2022 Appointed in 2013, Mr. Wang, 68, is one of China’s longest serving foreign ministers in recent memory. New York Times, 21 Aug. 2022 Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Turkey in March, followed by visits by both countries' foreign ministers, helped thaw tensions after more than a decade of strained relations. Hadas Gold And Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 17 Aug. 2022 The Czech Republic will put a proposal for a broad ban on visas issued to Russian citizens at an EU foreign ministers meeting later this month. Bloomberg.com, 12 Aug. 2022 This year, election officials face not only the continuing threat of foreign interference but also ransomware, politically motivated hackers and insider threats. Zeke Miller, Chris Megerian, Anchorage Daily News, 1 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English forein, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin foranus on the outside, from Latin foris outside — more at forum
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing foreign
Kids Definition
foreign
adjective
for·eign ˈfȯr-ən
1
: located outside of a place or country and especially outside of a person's own country
a foreign nation
2
: belonging to a place or country other than the one under consideration
Do you speak a foreign language?
3
: relating to or having to do with other nations
foreign trade
4
: not normally belonging or wanted where found
foreign material in food
Medical Definition
foreign
adjective
for·eign ˈfȯr-ən, ˈfär-
1
: occurring in an abnormal situation in the living body and often introduced from outside
a foreign body lodged in the esophagus
2
: not recognized by the immune system as part of the self
foreign proteins
Legal Definition
foreign
adjective
for·eign
: not being within the jurisdiction of a political unit (as a state)
especially : being from or in a state other than the one in which a matter is being considered
a foreign company doing business in South Carolina
a foreign executor submitting to the jurisdiction of this court
a foreign judgment
compare domestic foreign
adjective
1
as in international
being, relating to, or characteristic of a country other than one's own more Americans should take an interest in foreign languages Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- international
- alien
- imported
- external
- overseas
- nonnative
- multicultural
- exotic
- introduced
- multinational
- naturalized
- multilateral
- transplanted
- nonindigenous
- foreign-born
- strange
- multiculti
- bizarre
- far-off
- distant
- outlandish
- remote
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- domestic
- local
- native
- indigenous
- endemic
- aboriginal
2
as in alien
not being a vital part of or belonging to something pediatricians often have to remove peas or other foreign bodies from inside the ears of curious toddlers Synonyms & Similar Words
- alien
- external
- irrelevant
- adventitious
- extrinsic
- accidental
- extraneous
- unnecessary
- exterior
- supervenient
- inapplicable
- outside
- immaterial
- nonessential
- insignificant
- unessential
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- intrinsic
- inherent
- internal
- innate
- congenital
- inbred
- inborn
- interior
- basic
- necessary
- inside
- essential
- deep-seated
3
as in multinational
relating to or involving two or more nations foreign trade has always been vital to the region's economic health Synonyms & Similar Words
- international
- multinational
- transnational
- transcontinental
- intercontinental
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- national
- domestic
- internal
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of foreign are alien, extraneous, and extrinsic. While all these words mean "external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character," foreign applies to what is so different as to be rejected or repelled or to be incapable of becoming assimilated.
techniques foreign to French cuisine
Alien is stronger than foreign in suggesting opposition, repugnance, or irreconcilability.
a practice totally alien to her nature
The words extraneous and foreign are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, extraneous applies to what is on or comes from the outside and may or may not be capable of becoming an essential part.
arguments extraneous to the issue
In some situations, the words extrinsic and foreign are roughly equivalent. However, extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature.
sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value