The word "stranger" refers to a person whom one does not know or is unfamiliar with. It can also imply someone from a different place or background who is outside of one's social circle. Strangers are typically not recognized or acknowledged by an individual, making them unfamiliar and often distant figures in daily life.
The word "stranger" comes from the Middle English "straunger," derived from the Old French "estrange," which in turn comes from the Latin "extraneus," meaning "external" or "foreign." The root indicates a sense of being outside or apart from a familiar group or place.