rookie

noun

ˈru̇-kē How to pronounce rookie (audio)
Definition of rookienext
as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity although a star in his old sport of basketball, he was still just a rookie as far as baseball was concerned

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rookie The team’s quarterback room now consists of Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett and undrafted rookie free agent Haynes King. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026 But when injuries forced the Marlins to dig into their bullpen, Phillips, who made seven starts for the Philadelphia Phillies as a rookie in 2024, took advantage of the opportunity. — Tyler M. Carmona july 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 Chiefs QBs and rookies are set to report to training camp on Friday, July 24. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 July 2026 Walker was joined on the red carpet Tuesday afternoon by another All-Star game rookie, Munetaka Murakami, first baseman for the Chicago White Sox. — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rookie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rookie
  1. novice
  2. beginner
  3. freshman
  4. newcomer
  5. apprentice
Noun
  • Haaland has become a social media phenomenon, with his own posts and memes from others turning even soccer novices into diehard fans.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • The last death at San Fermin's bull runs occurred in 2009, but gorings and broken bones are common, partly due to the large number of novice bull runners and foreign tourists who join the experienced locals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Definition of novice
Noun
  • Float down the Barren Fork River with beginner-friendly kayak rentals, then relax at the 8-acre pet-friendly campground featuring tent sites, RV hookups, and rental campers.
    — Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Summer Triangle — formed by Vega, Deneb and Altair — hangs almost overhead during the darkest hours, making this one of the easiest seasonal star patterns for beginners to learn.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of beginner
Noun
  • Included in her village is Kai, who will be soon be a freshman at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, two counties away.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Gracia, who throws and hits left-handed, was a freshman All-American at Duke and then transferred to UVA for his junior season.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of freshman
Noun
  • The difference between those projects and the 27 data centers that already exist or are being built in Miami-Dade (including three newcomers that have drawn controversy) is the size.
    — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • Significantly, High Plains offered alternatives to more expensive, two-drink-minimum club shows that might scare off casual comedy fans and newcomers to stand-up.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 16 July 2026
Definition of newcomer
Noun
  • The tedium of the task was how the apprentice became the master.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The sad thing was that within days of becoming an apprentice, he was packed off to hospital for a cartilage operation on a knee that, 10 years later, would bring a permanent end to his career.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of apprentice

Browse Nearby Words

rooked
rookie
rookies
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rookie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rookie. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on rookie

Nglish: Translation of rookie for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of maverick

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All