international
gb/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəl/ us/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəl/
B1
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Involving multiple countries
About or between two or more countries.
Usage pattern:
[something] is international
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'international' with 'national', which refers to one country only.
Synonyms
global (Often used to emphasize worldwide scope rather than just between some countries.)
Antonyms
domestic (Refers to something within one country, not involving other nations.)
Collocations
international trade
|international relations
|international law
|international community
|international conference
Themes
politics
|business
|travel
Examples
- The summit focused on international cooperation in climate policy.
- She works for an international company with offices in over 30 countries.
- International law governs how nations interact with each other.
- The airport handles many international flights every day.
- International students often face unique challenges when studying abroad.
Learner examples
- I want to work in an international company.
- This airport has many international flights.
- We study international law in class.
- He is interested in international politics.
- The team played in an international tournament.
Noun
B2
event
2
Sports match between nations
A sports game between teams from different countries.
Usage pattern:
play in [an] international
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'international' as a noun with 'international player'; here it refers to the match itself.
Synonyms
test match (In cricket and rugby, a formal international game; more sport-specific.)
Collocations
play in an international
|win an international
|international match
Themes
sports
|travel
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- He scored twice in last night's international against Brazil.
- The player has represented his country in over fifty internationals.
- Thousands attended the international to watch the national teams compete.
Learner examples
- Our team won the international yesterday.
- She played her first international last year.
- He will play in an international next month.
Grammar
Dictionary form
international
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəl/
US/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəl/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - na - tion - al (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: international
Noun
- Base: international
- Plural: internationals
Word family
Forms
internationals
noun
Core family
Related words
nationality
noun A2
nationally
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
internationalize
verb C1
internationalization
noun
Expressions
international community
1/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəl kəmjˈunɪti/
fixed phrase
All nations acting together
All the countries of the world seen as a group.
Examples
- The international community condemned the attack.
- The treaty was supported by the whole international community.
international flight
1/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəl flˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
Flight between countries
A trip by plane from one country to another.
Examples
- We booked an international flight to Japan.
- The airport handles over 100 international flights daily.
international law
1/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəl lˈɔ/
fixed phrase
formal
Law between nations
The set of rules that countries agree to follow when dealing with each other.
Examples
- International law prohibits the use of certain weapons in war.
- They specialize in cases involving international law.
international relations
1/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəl ɹilˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
formal
Political dealings between nations
The way countries act toward and deal with each other.
Examples
- She is studying international relations at university.
- International relations have been tense between the two countries for years.
international trade
1/ˌɪntɚnˈæʃənəl tɹˈeɪd/
fixed phrase
Trade between nations
Buying and selling goods or services between different countries.
Examples
- International trade has increased due to new agreements.
- Tariffs can affect the flow of international trade.