freshman

noun

fresh·​man ˈfresh-mən 

often attributive

1

: a student in the first year of high school or college

2

: beginner, newcomer

especially : a person who is starting a job or activity

freshman lawmakers

Synonyms

• novice
• rookie
• newcomer
• beginner
• apprentice

Examples of freshman in a Sentence

My daughter's a freshman at UCLA.

He was the best freshman in professional basketball this year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Storr played his freshman year at St. John’s and one season at Wisconsin before arriving at KU. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2025

Dylan Day: After spending most of his freshman year on special teams, Day has impressed during camp and could find himself in the safety rotation. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2025

Senior, 6’1, 220 Accolades: 3-star prospect and 3-year starter finished 2024 season with 133 tackles, including 13.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, INT, fumble recovery for Class 7A regional finalist Broncos; freshman year reached state semifinals; Sun Sentinel first team All-County, ESPN Top 63; also runs track. —Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025

Celia Fuentes is the incoming co-chair of Project Unloaded’s Youth Council and an incoming freshman at the University of Illinois. —Celia Fuentes, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing freshman

• freshman orientation
• pre-freshman

Rhymes for freshman

• freshmen

Kids Definition

freshman

noun

fresh·​man ˈfresh-mən 

1

: beginner, newcomer

2

: a student in the first year (as of high school or college)