welcome

¹wel·come

transitive verb \ˈwel-kəm\

wel·comedwel·com·ing

Definition of WELCOME

1

: to greet hospitably and with courtesy or cordiality

2

: to accept with pleasure the occurrence or presence of <welcomes danger>

— wel·com·er noun

Examples of WELCOME

1. She welcomed the students into her home.
2. We welcome you to the show.
3. He's a bright student who welcomes a challenge.

Origin of WELCOME

Middle English, from Old English welcumian, wylcumian, from wilcuma, noun

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WELCOME

Synonyms

drink (in), eat (up), embrace, lap (up)

Related Words

adopt, espouse, take up; greet, hail; enjoy, like, prefer; cherry-pick, choose, cull, decide (on), elect, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, select, single (out), take

Near Antonyms

balk (at), decline, pass up, refuse, reject, spurn, throw over, turn down; demur (to), object (to)

²welcome

interjection

Definition of WELCOME

—used to express a greeting to a guest or newcomer upon arrival

Origin of WELCOME

Middle English, alteration of wilcume, from Old English, from wilcuma desirable guest (akin to Old High German willicomo desirable guest); akin to Old English willa, will desire, cuman to come — more at will, come

First Known Use: 12th century

³welcome

adjective

Definition of WELCOME

1

: received gladly into one's presence or companionship <was always welcome in their home>

2

: giving pleasure : received with gladness or delight especially in response to a need <a welcome relief>

3

: willingly permitted or admitted <he was welcome to come and go — W. M. Thackeray>

4

—used in the phrase “You're welcome” as a reply to an expression of thanks

— wel·come·ly adverb

— wel·come·ness noun

Examples of WELCOME

1. That will be a welcome change.
2. He was a welcome sight.

First Known Use of WELCOME

12th century

Related to WELCOME

Synonyms

agreeable, blessed (also blest), congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, good, grateful, gratifying, heavenly, jolly, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, tasty, pleasant

Antonyms

disagreeable, pleasureless, unpalatable, unpleasant, unwelcome

Related Words

alluring, attractive, desirable, enviable, inviting, relishable, tempting; charming, enchanting, fascinating; calming, comforting, soothing; amusing, diverting, entertaining, recreative; affable, amiable, cheerful, cheery, comfortable, gemütlich, genial, goodly, good-natured, gracious, hospitable, kindly, personable; blissful, felicific, glad, happy, joyous; elating, exhilarating, intoxicating; ecstatic, euphoric, nirvanic, rapturous

Near Antonyms

abominable, ghastly, god-awful, hellish, horrid, miserable, wretched; bilious, disgusting, distasteful, obnoxious, offensive, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revulsive, unsavory, vile, yucky (also yukky); abhorrent, detestable, hateful, odious; boring, commonplace, dull, flat, insipid, irksome, stale, tedious; displeasing, dissatisfying; depressing, disheartening, dismal, dreary, gloomy, heartbreaking, heartrending, joyless, lachrymose, sad, unhappy; deplorable, doleful, dolorous, lamentable, lugubrious, mournful, regrettable, sorrowful, tragic (also tragical); aggravating, annoying, exasperating, irritating, peeving, perturbing, vexing; forbidding; hostile, intimidating; angering, enraging, incensing, inflaming (also enflaming), infuriating, maddening, outraging, rankling, riling; distressing, disturbing, upsetting

⁴welcome

noun

Definition of WELCOME

1

: a greeting or reception usually upon arrival <a warm welcome>

2

: the state of being welcome <overstayed their welcome>

Examples of WELCOME

1. He was given a hero's welcome when he returned home after winning the race.
2. <offered a warm welcome to the stranger>

First Known Use of WELCOME

1525

Related to WELCOME

Synonyms

greeting, salutation, salute, hello

Antonyms

adieu, bon voyage, congé (also congee), farewell, Godspeed, good-bye (or good-by)

Related Words

ave, hail; amenities, civilities, pleasantries; regards, respects, wishes