foreign

adjective for·eign \ˈfȯr-ən, ˈfär-\

: located outside a particular place or country and especially outside your own country

: coming from or belonging to a different place or country

: relating to or dealing with other nations

Full Definition of FOREIGN

: situated outside a place or country; especially : situated outside one's own country

: born in, belonging to, or characteristic of some place or country other than the one under consideration

: of, relating to, or proceeding from some other person or material thing than the one under consideration

: alien in character : not connected or pertinent

: related to or dealing with other nations

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>

: not being within the jurisdiction of a political unit (as a state)

— for·eign·ness \-ən-nəs\ noun

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Origin of FOREIGN

Middle English forein, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin foranus on the outside, from Latin foris outside — more at forum

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to FOREIGN

Synonyms: alien, nonnative

Antonyms: domestic, native

Synonym Discussion of FOREIGN

extrinsic, extraneous, foreign, alien mean external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character. 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>. 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>. 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>.