Etymology Map
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Stranger

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person one does not know

Where does the word "stranger" come from? It comes from Latin extraneus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
extraneus
Latin · ancient
"external, foreign"
from 'extra', outside, the root of 'extraneous'
2
Stage 2 of 3
estrangier
Old French · medieval
"foreigner"
modern French 'étranger' still means foreigner
3
Stage 3 of 3
stranger
English · 1300s
"foreigner"
'strange' comes from the same root
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Read the full story

Stranger’s story begins in Latin: extraneus meant “external, foreign.” From 'extra', outside, the root of 'extraneous'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as estrangier. Modern French 'étranger' still means foreigner. It reached English by 1300s as stranger. 'strange' comes from the same root. Today, stranger means a person one does not know.