foreigner

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
  2. noun someone who is excluded from or is not a member of a group

Etymology

From Middle English forner, foreyner, foroner, forenere, augmentation of earlier forein (“foreigner”), from the adjective. Equivalent to foreign + -er. Use of the -er suffix may be due to analogy with Middle English straunger (“stranger”). Displaced native Old English elþēodiġ.

In classic literature

Synonyms

alien, noncitizen, outlander

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