The spelling of the word "stranger" is relatively straightforward when broken down phonetically. IPA phonetic transcription reveals that it is pronounced /ˈstreɪndʒər/ and consists of six phonemes: s, t, r, ey, n, and j er. The initial "s" sound is followed by the consonant cluster "tr," which is immediately followed by the diphthong "ey." The final syllable consists of the consonant "n" and the vowel sound "j er." The spelling of this word follows the standard English rules for phonetics and allowing for the exceptions that are typical of English language.
A stranger is an individual who is unknown to or unfamiliar with one's personal circle or immediate environment. It typically refers to someone who is unfamiliar or unacquainted with a person, place, or situation. Strangers are individuals with whom one has not previously established a connection, bond, or relationship.
The term "stranger" can be used in various contexts, including social encounters, travel, or public spaces. In social situations, a stranger is often someone who lacks any existing rapport or familiarity, hence requiring an introduction or initial interaction to establish a basic level of recognition or acquaintance.
Strangers can be found in numerous situations, ranging from chance encounters in public spaces to new individuals entering a community or social group. As these individuals are not known to others, they can evoke feelings of curiosity, caution, or even uncertainty among those with whom they come into contact.
Encounters with strangers often present opportunities for creating new relationships, fostering connections, or expanding one's social network. However, they can also bear risks and unknowns due to the lack of knowledge or information about the character, intentions, or background of the stranger. As a result, caution and discernment are often advised when dealing with unknown individuals until a level of trust or familiarity is established.
A foreigner; one who is unknown; a visitor; one not admitted to friendship or fellowship.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "stranger" originated from the Old English word "strang", which means "foreign" or "unknown". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic root "strangaz", meaning "strong" or "powerful". Over time, the meaning of "strang" shifted to include the concept of someone unfamiliar or unknown, leading to the term "stranger" to refer to a person who is not known personally or belongs to a foreign land.