A2adjective2K

Foreign

UK /["/ˈfɒrən/"]/US /["/ˈfɔːrən/"]/

Definition

in or from a country that is not your own

In simple words: Something that comes from another country.

Examples

  • She is learning a foreign language to improve her career prospects.
  • The foreign exchange student stayed with a local family during the school year.
  • He has a foreign accent that makes him sound different.
  • Many foreign films can provide insight into different cultures.
  • The museum has an exhibit dedicated to foreign art from various countries.

Usage notes

Use 'foreign' when describing something from outside your own country. It's common in discussions about travel, culture, or citizenship. Avoid using it in overly informal situations.

Grammar pattern

foreign + noun

Memory hint

Think of 'foreign' as 'for a range' - things that come from a range of other places.

Collocations

  • be
  • look
  • sound
  • slightly
  • distinctly
  • be
  • look
  • sound
  • slightly
  • distinctly
  • be
  • feel
  • seem
  • very
  • completely
  • entirely

Synonyms

  • overseas
  • international
  • alien
  • external
  • exotic

Antonyms

  • domestic
  • local

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'foreigner' which refers to a person from another country.
  • Misusing 'foreign' as a verb instead of an adjective.
  • Incorrectly combining 'foreign' with non-nouns, like 'foreignly.'