foreigners
People from abroad
Foreigners are people from another country—outsiders to whatever nation serves as the reference point.
The word is neutral in principle but often carries undertones of suspicion or exclusion: Foreigners aren't welcome here.
In legal contexts, it distinguishes non-citizens from nationals.
The singular foreigner applies to individuals: She felt like a foreigner in her own hometown.
People unknown to you
- outsidersThose not belonging
- aliensBeings from other worlds
- newcomersThose recently arrived
- nonnativesPeople not originally from here
guests · transplants · incomers · unfamiliar · otherness · exclusion · discrimination · xenophobia
Travelers seeing sights
- visitorsPeople who come temporarily
- backpackersTravelers with frame-mounted bags
- globetrottersHabitual worldwide travelers
- sightseersVisitors exploring notable places
vacationers · jetsetters · travelers · holidaymakers · day-trippers · excursionists · wanderers · sojourners
Travel authorization stamp
- naturalizationLegal path to belonging
- citizenshipStatus as state member
- green cardU.S. residency document
- asylumShelter from persecution
refugee · deportation · work permit · permanent resident · border control · quota · sponsorship · consulate
Citizens living abroad, informally
- diplomatsForeign government representatives
- international studentsPupils studying outside homeland
- exchange studentsLearners attending schools abroad
- guest workersTemporary foreign employees
contractors · assignees · trailing spouse · digital nomads · posting · relocation · home country · host country
Including multiple ethnic traditions
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- cosmopolitanCulturally sophisticated, internationally fluent
- inclusivityPractice of welcoming all
- coexistenceSimultaneous presence together
cross-cultural · tolerance · melting-pot · mosaic · intercultural · enrichment · integration · assimilation
strangers
People unknown to you
nonnatives · guests · transplants · incomers · unfamiliar · otherness · exclusion · discrimination · xenophobia · prejudice
tourists
Travelers seeing sights
- visitorsPeople who come temporarily
- backpackersTravelers with frame-mounted bags
- globetrottersHabitual worldwide travelers
sightseers · vacationers · jetsetters · travelers · holidaymakers · day-trippers · excursionists · wanderers · sojourners · temporary
visa
Travel authorization stamp
- naturalizationLegal path to belonging
- citizenshipStatus as state member
- green cardU.S. residency document
asylum · refugee · deportation · work permit · permanent resident · border control · quota · sponsorship · consulate · embassy
expats
Citizens living abroad, informally
- diplomatsForeign government representatives
- international studentsPupils studying outside homeland
- exchange studentsLearners attending schools abroad
guest workers · contractors · assignees · trailing spouse · digital nomads · posting · relocation · home country · host country · culture shock
multicultural
Including multiple ethnic traditions
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- cosmopolitanCulturally sophisticated, internationally fluent
- inclusivityPractice of welcoming all
coexistence · cross-cultural · tolerance · melting-pot · mosaic · intercultural · enrichment · integration · assimilation · harmony
- Ancient Societypolis, agora, symposium, patricians, plebeians
- nonmembersoutsiders, strangers, aliens, excluded, uninvited
- migrationmigration, immigrants, refugees, immigration, emigration
- legal statuslegal status, legal capacity, civil status, personhood, legal entity
- Ancient RomansJulius Caesar, patricians, consuls, Marcus Aurelius, Nero
- newcomersnewcomers, newcomer, new arrivals, new arrival, newbie
foreignerscitizens
Members of a nation
nationals · natives · countrymen · compatriots · subjects
foreignerslocals
Area's permanent inhabitants
natives · indigenous people · inhabitants · residents · townsfolk
foreignersinsiders
Those with special access
natives · locals · kinfolk · countrymen · community members