Foreign Meaning
Foreign Definition & Usage
Relating to or characteristic of a country or language other than one's own.
Examples
- "She studied foreign languages at university."
- "The restaurant offers a variety of foreign dishes."
- "They moved to a foreign country for work."
- "Foreign students often face challenges adjusting to a new culture."
- "The museum has an impressive collection of foreign art."
Not known or familiar, unfamiliar in nature or concept.
Examples
- "The foreign sound of the unfamiliar language intrigued her."
- "The idea of traveling to Mars was still foreign to most people."
- "He found the city's complex subway system quite foreign."
- "Her accent sounded foreign to the locals."
- "The customs at the foreign wedding were very different from what I had expected."
A foreigner or someone from another country.
Examples
- "The country has many foreigners living in its cities."
- "The government recently passed laws that regulate the employment of foreigners."
- "She felt like a foreign in her own city after moving abroad."
- "Tourists are often seen as foreigners in local communities."
- "Many foreigners struggle with the language barrier when they first arrive."
Cultural Context
The word 'foreign' has its roots in Latin and French and has been used for centuries to describe things or people that are not native to a particular area or culture. It has a broad application in everyday language, especially in contexts involving international relations, travel, immigration, and cultural exchange.
The Journey of the Foreign Visitor
Story
The Journey of the Foreign Visitor
Once upon a time in a small town nestled between rolling hills, a foreign traveler named Maya arrived from a far-off land. Her homeland was vastly different from this quiet town: the food, the culture, even the language. Maya had heard stories of this town through a friend she met during her travels abroad, but now that she was here, everything felt unfamiliar. The narrow cobbled streets seemed foreign to her, the buildings had a strange old-world charm, and the locals' accents were unlike anything she'd ever heard. She walked into a café to get some coffee, and the barista, an elderly man named Mr. Parker, greeted her with a warm smile. 'You must be new here,' he said in a thick local accent. Maya nodded, feeling like a foreigner in a land she had only dreamed of visiting. The menu was written in a language that she could barely understand, and she pointed to what seemed like the most familiar item: a 'latte.' As Maya sat at a window seat, observing the town outside, she couldn't help but notice how many things were foreign to her. The way the people spoke, the food they ate, even the way they walked—everything seemed so different from what she knew back home. Yet, there was something undeniably welcoming about this place. The longer she stayed, the more she began to appreciate the 'foreign' customs and traditions of the town. Days passed, and Maya found herself making new friends, including Lily, who was born in the town but had lived abroad for many years. They spent hours discussing their travels, the challenges they faced as foreigners in different lands, and the strange but wonderful feeling of being both 'outsiders' and yet, somehow, part of something bigger. By the time Maya prepared to leave, the town had become less foreign. The people, the language, the rhythm of daily life no longer seemed strange. Maya realized that 'foreign' wasn't just a label for something unfamiliar, but a word that could describe the beauty of discovering something new. She had come to this town a foreigner, but she was leaving with a new perspective: that what once felt foreign could eventually feel like home. Maya's journey had taught her that being foreign wasn't about where you came from, but about embracing the unknown and finding connection in the most unexpected places.
Related Words
