beginner

noun

be·​gin·​ner bi-ˈgi-nər 

bē-

: one that begins something

especially : an inexperienced person

Synonyms of beginner

• novice
• newcomer
• rookie
• apprentice
• freshman

Examples of beginner in a Sentence

although our son is only a beginner at swimming, he is making excellent progress

Recent Examples on the Web

At a beginner’s mahjong night at a local bar, tables largely full of young professionals engaged in friendly competition over Hong Kong-style sets as Chang emceed over a microphone. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

Then be sure to read our roundups of the best telescope deals, along with our beginner's guide to observing the night sky with a manual telescope. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Demand Clusters Change The Winner The study also breaks the questions into demand clusters—value, premium, luxury, cult, investment-grade, beginner, comparison—and the leaderboard reshuffles completely depending on which question gets asked. — Ronn Torossian, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Many of the winners are easy to use, quick to apply, and beginner-friendly, including press-on kits, fast-drying polishes and topcoats, and nourishing base layers. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing beginner

• beginner's luck

Rhymes for beginner

• breadwinner
• dinner
• inner
• pinner
• sinner
• spinner
• thinner
• tinner
• winner

Kids Definition

beginner

noun

be·​gin·​ner bi-ˈgin-ər 

: a person who is beginning something or doing something for the first time : an inexperienced person