Alien vs. Stranger — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 3, 2024
Alien refers to someone from another country or planet, often highlighting foreignness, whereas stranger denotes someone unfamiliar or unknown, emphasizing lack of personal connection.
Difference Between Alien and Stranger
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An alien is primarily used to describe individuals from a different country or world, highlighting their non-native status. Whereas a stranger refers to someone whom one does not know, emphasizing the absence of any personal acquaintance or recognition.
Aliens are often discussed in the context of immigration or science fiction. They may have legal implications in the former and imaginative roles in the latter. On the other hand, strangers are simply individuals we have not met or do not recognize, with the concept appearing frequently in discussions about social interactions and safety.
Legal definitions apply to aliens, categorizing them based on residency status such as non-resident aliens or illegal aliens. Whereas, the term stranger carries no legal weight and broadly covers any individual who is not familiar to another person.
In cultural narratives, aliens can evoke feelings of curiosity or fear due to their otherworldly origins or foreignness. Conversely, strangers can evoke a similar range of emotions primarily based on the uncertainty and unpredictability of their intentions.
Socially, the integration challenges faced by aliens due to different cultural backgrounds or legal barriers are significant. Strangers, by contrast, may blend into societal contexts until personal interaction reveals their unfamiliarity.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A foreigner from another country or world
An unknown or unfamiliar person
Context
Legal, immigration, science fiction
Social, safety
Emotional Connotation
Curiosity, fear, otherness
Uncertainty, anonymity
Legal Implications
Yes (immigration status)
No
Cultural Integration
Often faces challenges due to cultural differences
Generally not applicable unless revealed in interaction
Compare with Definitions
Alien
Extraterrestrial being.
The film featured an alien from another galaxy.
Stranger
Someone unacquainted.
I treated the guests as no strangers to comfort.
Alien
Pertaining to foreign nations.
Alien species often disrupt local ecosystems.
Stranger
Unknown person.
She felt uncomfortable when approached by a stranger.
Alien
Unfamiliar and distinct.
The customs of the remote village were alien to the visitors.
Stranger
Newcomer in a place.
As a stranger in the town, he often got lost.
Alien
Outside one's own experience.
The concept of privacy is alien in some cultures.
Stranger
Outsider not part of a group.
At the party, he felt like a stranger.
Alien
Owing political allegiance to another country or government; foreign
Alien residents.
Stranger
One who is not recognized.
The reclusive author was a stranger to fame.
Alien
Belonging to, characteristic of, or constituting another and very different place, society, or person; strange.
Stranger
A stranger is a person who is unknown to another person or group. Because of this unknown status, a stranger may be perceived as a threat until their identity and character can be ascertained.
Alien
Dissimilar, inconsistent, or opposed, as in nature
Emotions alien to her temperament.
Stranger
One who is neither a friend nor an acquaintance.
Alien
An unnaturalized foreign resident of a country. Also called noncitizen.
Stranger
A foreigner, newcomer, or outsider.
Alien
A person from another and very different family, people, or place.
Stranger
One who is unaccustomed to or unacquainted with something specified; a novice
A stranger to our language.
No stranger to hardship.
Alien
A person who is not included in a group; an outsider.
Stranger
(Law) One that is neither privy nor party to a title, act, or contract.
Alien
A creature from outer space
Science fiction about an invasion of aliens.
Stranger
(Archaic) A visitor or guest.
Alien
(Ecology) An organism, especially a plant or animal, that occurs in or is naturalized in a region to which it is not native.
Stranger
A person whom one does not know; a person who is neither a friend nor an acquaintance.
That gentleman is a stranger to me.
Children are taught not to talk to strangers.
Alien
To transfer (property) to another; alienate.
Stranger
An outsider or foreigner.
Alien
A person, animal, plant, or other thing which is from outside the family, group, organization, or territory under consideration.
Stranger
One not admitted to communion or fellowship.
Alien
A person in a country not their own.
Stranger
A newcomer.
Alien
Any life form of extraterrestrial or extradimensional origin.
Stranger
(humorous) One who has not been seen for a long time.
Hello, stranger!
Alien
One excluded from certain privileges; one alienated or estranged.
Stranger
(obsolete) One not belonging to the family or household; a guest; a visitor.
Alien
Not belonging to the same country, land, or government, or to the citizens or subjects thereof; foreign.
Alien subjects, enemies, property, or shores
Stranger
(legal) One not privy or party to an act, contract, or title; a mere intruder or intermeddler; one who interferes without right.
Actual possession of land gives a good title against a stranger having no title.
Alien
Very unfamiliar, strange, or removed.
Principles alien to our religion
Stranger
(obsolete) A superstitious premonition of the coming of a visitor by a bit of stalk in a cup of tea, the guttering of a candle, etc.
Alien
Pertaining to extraterrestrial life; typical of an extraterrestrial creature.
Stranger
To estrange; to alienate.
Alien
(transitive) To estrange; to alienate.
Stranger
One who is strange, foreign, or unknown.
Alien
(law) To transfer the ownership of something.
Stranger
One who comes from a foreign land; a foreigner.
I am a most poor woman and a stranger,Born out of your dominions.
Alien
Not belonging to the same country, land, or government, or to the citizens or subjects thereof; foreign; as, alien subjects, enemies, property, shores.
Stranger
One not belonging to the family or household; a guest; a visitor.
To honor and receiveOur heavenly stranger.
Alien
Wholly different in nature; foreign; adverse; inconsistent (with); incongruous; - followed by from or sometimes by to; as, principles alien from our religion.
An alien sound of melancholy.
Stranger
One whose home is at a distance from the place where he is, but in the same country.
Alien
A foreigner; one owing allegiance, or belonging, to another country; a foreign-born resident of a country in which he does not possess the privileges of a citizen. Hence, a stranger. See Alienage.
Stranger
One not privy or party an act, contract, or title; a mere intruder or intermeddler; one who interferes without right; as, actual possession of land gives a good title against a stranger having no title; as to strangers, a mortgage is considered merely as a pledge; a mere stranger to the levy.
Alien
One excluded from certain privileges; one alienated or estranged; as, aliens from God's mercies.
Aliens from the common wealth of Israel.
Stranger
One who is unknown or unacquainted; as, the gentleman is a stranger to me; hence, one not admitted to communication, fellowship, or acquaintance.
Melons on beds of ice are taught to bear,And strangers to the sun yet ripen here.
My child is yet a stranger in the world.
I was no stranger to the original.
Alien
To alienate; to estrange; to transfer, as property or ownership.
The prince was totally aliened from all thoughts of . . . the marriage.
Stranger
To estrange; to alienate.
Alien
A person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
Stranger
Anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
Alien
Anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
Alien
A form of life assumed to exist outside the Earth or its atmosphere
Alien
Transfer property or ownership;
The will aliened the property to the heirs
Alien
Arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness
Alien
Not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something;
An economic theory alien to the spirit of capitalism
The mysticism so foreign to the French mind and temper
Jealousy is foreign to her nature
Alien
Being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world;
Alien customs
Exotic plants in a greenhouse
Exotic cuisine
Alien
Foreign national.
The agency handles cases for aliens seeking work permits.
Common Curiosities
What precautions should one take with strangers?
Common advice includes not sharing personal information, being aware of your surroundings, and trusting your instincts about people’s intentions.
How do aliens impact society?
Aliens can enrich a society culturally and economically, though they may also face challenges such as discrimination or integration issues.
What contexts are aliens associated with in popular culture?
Aliens are a staple in science fiction, often representing advanced technologies or existential threats.
Can a stranger be someone you've seen before?
Yes, a stranger can be someone you've seen but have not interacted with, so they remain unknown to you.
What legal statuses can an alien have?
Aliens can be classified as resident, non-resident, or illegal, depending on their compliance with a country’s immigration laws.
Is it offensive to call someone an alien?
In immigration contexts, the term alien is standard, but it can be seen as dehumanizing. More neutral terms like "foreign national" are preferred in casual use.
Are all aliens considered strangers?
While all aliens might be considered strangers in a new country, not all strangers are aliens, as they could be locals unknown to you.
Can an alien become less alienated?
Yes, through cultural assimilation, legal residency, and social integration, an alien can become less alienated.
Why might someone be wary of strangers?
Lack of knowledge about a stranger's background and intentions can lead to wariness as a safety precaution.
How does one stop being a stranger?
Increased familiarity through social interaction and spending time in new environments can help someone stop being seen as a stranger.
What types of aliens are depicted in media?
Media often depicts aliens as either invaders or enlightened beings, influencing human affairs in various ways.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
