abroad
abroad Lexical Profile
abroad Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
In or to a foreign country or countries.
"She plans to study abroad in Spain during her junior year of college."
Out of doors; out and about away from one's home.
"Very few villagers ventured abroad after the heavy snowstorm began."
In wide circulation; broadly or widely among the public (especially of rumors, news, or feelings).
"There is a growing sense of optimism abroad in the scientific community."
• noun
Foreign countries considered collectively (used chiefly after the preposition 'from').
"The museum received generous donations from visitors from abroad."
Word Nuance & Usage
Because 'abroad' is primarily an adverb meaning 'to or in a foreign country,' it should not be preceded by the preposition 'to' or 'in' (e.g., say 'travel abroad' rather than 'travel to abroad'), though it frequently follows 'from' as a noun ('returning from abroad').
• Rhymes for abroad
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English as 'abrode', combining the Old English preposition 'on' (reduced to 'a-') with 'brād' ('broad' or 'wide'), originally meaning 'widely scattered' or 'out in the open' before narrowing to mean 'outside one's own country'.