English Lexicon

Foreign

/ˈfɔːr.ɪn/
adjectiveCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #800 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Of, from, in, or characteristic of a country or language other than one's own.

    "She enjoys learning foreign languages and cultures."
  2. 2

    Strange and unfamiliar.

    "The customs felt foreign to him during his travels."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'foreign' originates from the Latin 'foris', meaning 'outside'. It evolved through Old French 'forain', which referred to something from outside one's own country, reflecting historical trade and cultural exchanges in the medieval period.

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