Stranger Meaning
Stranger Definition & Usage
A person who is unfamiliar or unknown to you, someone you do not recognize or have not met before.
Examples
- "She felt nervous when a stranger approached her in the dark alley."
- "The party was filled with strangers, making him feel out of place."
- "I met a stranger on the train who offered me a seat."
- "They were strangers to the city, unsure of where to go next."
- "It's important to be cautious when talking to strangers online."
A person from a different cultural or social group, not belonging to a specific community or group.
Examples
- "The village welcomed the strangers who arrived seeking refuge."
- "To them, I was just another stranger, an outsider with no roots in the area."
- "He felt like a stranger in his own country after returning from abroad."
- "Despite being a stranger, she felt the warmth of the local community."
- "The stranger was not accustomed to the local customs and traditions."
Describing something unfamiliar or unknown.
Examples
- "The landscape was strange, filled with unfamiliar plants and wildlife."
- "He felt the stranger sensation of being observed by someone."
- "Her stranger behavior at the meeting left everyone confused."
- "There was a stranger quiet in the house that night."
- "His actions seemed stranger as the night went on."
Cultural Context
The concept of a 'stranger' is deeply rooted in human history, where unfamiliarity was often associated with risk or danger. Cultural practices often emphasize hospitality toward strangers, although their reception varies depending on context and community.
The Stranger in the Park
Story
The Stranger in the Park
It was a chilly autumn evening when Emily first noticed the stranger. She was walking her dog in the park, a place she visited almost every day. But tonight felt different. The park, usually filled with the sounds of children playing and people chatting on benches, was eerily quiet. And then she saw him—a man sitting alone on a bench, looking out at the path. His expression was distant, as though lost in thought or perhaps searching for something in the darkening sky. He was a stranger, unfamiliar to her, but there was something about him that piqued her curiosity. 'Excuse me, are you okay?' Emily asked as she walked closer, her voice laced with concern. The man looked up, startled. 'Oh, I'm fine. Just... thinking,' he said, his accent betraying that he wasn't from around here. 'I'm new to the area.' As they spoke, Emily realized the stranger was in fact a newcomer to the city, trying to navigate the complexities of living in a place so different from his hometown. Over the next few weeks, they began to see each other regularly in the park. Emily learned that the man, named Jack, had moved to the city for a job but found it difficult to adapt to the fast-paced life and unfamiliar social norms. He was a stranger to the city, to the people, to the routines. One evening, as the park emptied of its usual visitors, Jack confided in her. 'Sometimes, I feel like I don’t belong here. Like I’m just a stranger in this world, a bit lost and unsure of myself.' Emily smiled gently. 'I understand. But you're not the only one who feels that way. We all have moments when we’re strangers to ourselves. It’s part of life.' Jack nodded, grateful for her kindness. And with that simple conversation, the stranger who once seemed so distant began to feel a little more at home in the vastness of the city. It was a reminder that sometimes, a stranger isn’t just someone unfamiliar; they are someone on the brink of finding their place, just like everyone else.
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