DictionaryAI

international

in-tur-NASH-uh-nuhl/ˌɪn.(t)ɚˈnæʃ.(ə.)n(ə)l/UKin-tuh-NASH-uh-nuhl/ˌɪn.təˈnæʃ.(ə.)n(ə)l/

Noun pluralinternationals

7 meanings of international

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Between or involving two or more countries.

    Like a bridge that connects two countries.

    The two countries signed an international peace deal.

    International phone calls used to cost a lot of money.

    UsageUsually before a noun: an international call. You can also say more international.

    Oppositenational

    Note
  2. 2
    from another landadjective
    Coming from another country, not your own.

    The store sells international foods from around the world.

    She enjoys watching international films with subtitles.

    UsageOften used instead of foreign for people: international students.

    Similarforeign, overseas

    Oppositedomestic, local

    Note
  3. 3
    adjective
    Belonging to all people, not just one country.

    Like the sun, which shines on everyone no matter where they live.

    A smile is international; people everywhere understand it.

    Some signs, like a red heart, are international and need no words.

    Similaruniversal, global, worldwide, cosmopolitan

    Oppositelocal, parochial

    Note
  4. 4
    national playernounAustraliaBritishIrelandcountable
    A player who has played for their country in a sport.

    Her brother is a rugby international.

    Three internationals play for our local club.

    UsageThe country name goes first: an England international.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    nounAustraliaBritainIrelandcountable
    A game or match played between two or more countries.

    The team won their first international last weekend.

    Thousands of fans watched the international at the stadium.

    UsageOften with against: the international against France.

    Note
  2. 6
    party alliancenouncountable
    A group that links political parties from different countries that share the same beliefs.

    The socialist parties formed an international to work together.

    Delegates from several internationals met to discuss shared goals.

    UsageWith a capital letter, the International names one well-known group of this kind.

    Note
  3. 7
    adjective
    Connected with the workers' group called the International.

Practice

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Origin

It comes from inter- plus national. Jeremy Bentham first used it in English in 1780.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts