novice

noun

nov·​ice ˈnä-vəs 

1

: a person admitted to probationary membership in a religious community

The novices spend part of each day in prayer and meditation.

2

: beginner, tyro

Did you know?

Among the ancient Romans, a novice (novicius) was usually a newly enslaved person, who had to be trained in his or her duties. Among Catholics and Buddhists, if you desire to become a priest, monk, or nun, you must serve as a novice for a period of time, often a year (called your novitiate), before being ordained or fully professing your vows. No matter what kind of novice you are—at computers, at writing, at politics, etc.—you've got a lot to learn.

Synonyms

• abecedarian
• apprentice
• babe
• beginner
• colt
• cub
• fledgling
• freshman
• greenhorn
• neophyte
• newbie
• newcomer
• novitiate
• punk
• recruit
• rook
• rookie
• tenderfoot
• tyro
• virgin

Examples of novice in a Sentence

Novices serve time as scullery serfs as they work toward the privilege of trailing a pastry chef … —Guy Trebay, New York Times, 4 Sept. 2002

For the novice, walking the course also means being scared senseless by all the possibilities to screw up. —Tim Keown, ESPN, 17 Sept. 2001

Yet it's obvious to him and everyone else who the novice is here, the book-learned tournament virgin. —James McManus, Harper's, December 2000

Much defter than one would have thought possible from the length of her fingernails, Toula had no fear of high fast notes; her flair, mounted between Andrea's perfectionist reserve and Alice's novice awkwardness, seemed all too displayed. —John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994

He's a novice in cooking.

a book for the novice chess player

Recent Examples on the Web

Their impressive wine cellar is a delightful treat for wine novices and connoisseurs alike. —Jasmine Grant, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2024

For seasoned cooks and kitchen novices, cookbook author and nutritionist Robin Miller takes it back to basics with great, family-friendly recipes worth making over and over again. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024

The first session will begin at 9 a.m. with an introductory lesson taught by an experienced pickleball instructor for first-time and novice players. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2024

Suitable for legit collectors and complete novices alike, the sessions explore different aspects of watchmaking and show precisely how complex Swiss timepieces come to fruition. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024

The plan’s failure wipes out a significant legacy-making opportunity for a novice politician who burst onto the scene in 2021 and drew national attention as a fresh Republican face. —Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024

Such as Trump-appointee Aileen Cannon, the novice Florida district judge (mis)handling the former president’s trial involving classified material. —Jackie Calmes, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024

Area garden clubs foster the joy of gardening through their interactions with the community, offering advice and guidance for both novices and those who already have a green thumb. —Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024

While Dickie, a novice and untalented painter, receives Tom warmly, his girlfriend, Marge (Dakota Fanning), is immediately suspicious of her beau’s supposed acquaintance. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, "probationer in a religious community" (continental Old French also, "inexperienced person"), borrowed from Late Latin novīcius, going back to Latin, "newly enslaved person, person recently entered into a condition," as adjective, "newly imported, recently discovered, fashionable," from novus "new" + -īcius -itious — more at new entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

novice

noun

nov·​ice ˈnäv-əs 

1

: a new member of a religious order who is preparing to take the vows of religion

2

: a person who has no previous experience with something