rookie

noun

rook·​ie ˈru̇-kē 

1

: recruit

also : novice

2

: a first-year participant in a major professional sport

Synonyms of rookie

• novice
• beginner
• freshman
• newcomer
• apprentice

Examples of rookie in a Sentence

There are three rookies in the starting lineup.

an experienced policeman whose partner is a rookie

Recent Examples on the Web

Three of the Celtics’ current rotation players — center Luka Garza, rookie wing Gonzalez and trade-deadline addition Nikola Vucevic — have never played with Tatum. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026

SpaceX's upcoming Crew-12 launch for NASA will fly a pair of veteran astronauts and a pair of rookies to the orbital lab for an extended stay. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026

None of the investigators are rookies in the department, the sources in Pima County said. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026

Seattle’s swarming pass rush tormented Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson — another rookie — throughout Super Bowl LX, a game in which the Seahawks recorded six sacks and forced three turnovers by quarterback Drake Maye. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of recruit

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rookie

• bookie
• cookie

Kids Definition

rookie

noun

rook·​ie ˈru̇k-ē 

: beginner, recruit

especially : a first-year player in a professional sport