Meaning & use
international
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Involving or happening between two or more countries.
Grammar: Used before a noun: an international agreement. Not usually after a verb.
Patterns
- international trade
- international relations
- international law
The two countries signed an international treaty on climate change.
She works for an international company with offices in ten countries.
International travel has become much easier in recent years.
adjectivebefore a noun
Agreed or recognized by many different countries.
Grammar: Often used for standards, organizations, or events that involve many nations.
Patterns
- international standard
- international organization
- international community
The kilogram is defined by an international standard.
The United Nations is a well-known international organization.
The international community condemned the attack.
Common combinations
- international trade
- International trade between the two regions has grown steadily.
- international relations
- She studied international relations at university.
- international law
- The case was brought before an international law court.
- international community
- The international community called for peace.
- international student
- Many international students attend this university.
Synonyms and how they differ
- global
- Global means relating to the whole world as a single unit; international emphasizes relations between separate nations.
- multinational
- Multinational means involving several countries, often used for companies; international is broader and can refer to any cross-border activity.
- worldwide
- Worldwide means happening or existing everywhere in the world; international focuses on between nations.
Opposites
Word family
- internationally adverb
- In a way that involves different countries.
- internationalize verb
- To make something international in scope or character.
- internationalism noun
- The belief in or practice of cooperation among nations.
- internationalist noun
- A person who supports international cooperation.
Commonly confused: international or global?
international vs global
Global suggests the whole world as one unit; international stresses relationships between distinct nations.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'international' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Only 'international operations' correctly describes business activities involving multiple countries. 'International call' usually means a call between countries, not to the next town; 'felt international' is not a standard meaning; and 'international' is not a noun here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “international”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.