What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imported
Example
I bought this imported cheese from France at the specialty store. [imported: adjective]
Example
The store specializes in imported wines from Italy and Spain. [imported: adjective]
foreign
Example
The restaurant serves foreign cuisine from all over the world. [foreign: adjective]
Example
She speaks several foreign languages fluently. [foreign: adjective]
Example
The company hired a foreign expert to help with their international expansion. [foreign: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Foreign is more commonly used than imported in everyday language. Foreign is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while imported is less common and refers specifically to goods or products that are brought into a country from another country.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between imported and foreign?
While imported is typically associated with a formal tone, foreign is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
