strangers
People not yet met
Strangers are people you don't know.
The word often carries a note of wariness—children are taught not to talk to strangers, and a stranger in town may attract suspicion.
But strangers can also represent possibility: We were strangers when we met.
To be no stranger to something is to have ample experience with it: She's no stranger to controversy.
Not previously known
- anonymousOf unknown origin
- namelessWithout any designation
- facelessLacking identity or features
- unidentifiedNot yet recognized
unacquainted · incognito · unrecognized · passerby · bystander · someone · anybody · face in the crowd
One who resettles abroad
- touristTraveler visiting attractions
- visitorShort-term guest
- expatriateOne living abroad permanently
- travelerOne who journeys
nonnative · refugee · sojourner · guestworker · exchange student · foreign national · undocumented · visa holder
Accidental fortunate discovery
- encounterUnexpected meeting or confrontation
- crossing pathsEncountering by chance
- fleeting momentTransient instant
- talking toInformal reprimand
meet-cute · random encounter · fate · destiny · coincidence
Inexperienced newcomer
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
- new arrivalPerson recently appearing
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
- fledglingInexperienced newcomer
new kid · freshman · initiate · neophyte · transfer student · new hire · new neighbor · settling in
Being from outer space
- martianNative of fourth planet
- otherworldlySeemingly not earthly
- spacefarerOne traversing the cosmos
- off-worlderPerson from another planet
interstellar · close encounter · abduction · probe · invasion · first contact · xenomorph · body snatcher
unfamiliar
Not previously known
unidentified · unacquainted · incognito · unrecognized · passerby · bystander · someone · anybody · face in the crowd
immigrant
One who resettles abroad
- touristTraveler visiting attractions
- visitorShort-term guest
- expatriateOne living abroad permanently
traveler · nonnative · refugee · sojourner · guestworker · exchange student · foreign national · undocumented · visa holder · passport control
serendipity
Accidental fortunate discovery
- encounterUnexpected meeting or confrontation
- crossing pathsEncountering by chance
- fleeting momentTransient instant
talking to · meet-cute · random encounter · fate · destiny · coincidence
rookie
Inexperienced newcomer
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
- new arrivalPerson recently appearing
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
fledgling · new kid · freshman · initiate · neophyte · transfer student · new hire · new neighbor · settling in · orientation
extraterrestrial
Being from outer space
- martianNative of fourth planet
- otherworldlySeemingly not earthly
- spacefarerOne traversing the cosmos
off-worlder · interstellar · close encounter · abduction · probe · invasion · first contact · xenomorph · body snatcher · pod people
suspicious
Inclined to distrust
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- lurkingConcealed and watchful
- followingComing after another
stalker · predator · kidnapper · creepy · sketchy · unsafe · wary · cautious · vigilant · trust issues
- classifiedswant ad, personal ad, job ad, pet ads, wanted ads
- outside worldnature, outdoors, wilderness, environment, city
- people watchingpark bench, bench, airport, mall, plaza
- Unknown Identitiesunknowns, Jane Doe, John Doe, anonymous, incognito
- nonmembersoutsiders, foreigners, aliens, excluded, uninvited
- Unknown Peopleunknowns, John Doe, Jane Doe, nobodies
strangersfriends
Voluntary close relations
acquaintances · loved ones · family · intimates · companions
- perfect strangerPerson completely unfamiliar to you
- stranger dangerCaution toward unknown individuals
- strange birdsUnusual flying creatures
- Doctor StrangeMarvel's magical medical practitioner
- Stranger ThingsEleven's supernatural series
- complete strangers
strange, stranger, strangely, strangeness, estranged, estrange, estrangement, stranger danger