beginner

noun

be·​gin·​ner bi-ˈgi-nər How to pronounce beginner (audio)
bē-
: one that begins something
especially : an inexperienced person

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
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Pad: Perfect for beginners and artists who enjoy painting plein air, pads of watercolor paper are a convenient, budget-friendly option. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 June 2025 Texas Hold’em Poker Lessons for Beginners Monday (weekly) from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. This beginner’s class is designed to teach the fundamentals of Texas Hold’em in a fun and engaging environment. Kris Slugg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025 All skill levels can compete in the contest, which will feature a Beginner’s Luck division where competitors can perform beginner yo-yo tricks like the windup, dribble and forward pass to earn raffle tickets for prizes. Kathryn Kovalenko, Twin Cities, 11 June 2025 Wilton also offers a variety of beginner to advanced courses, along with plenty of easy decorating hacks on their social media. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for beginner

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beginner was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Beginner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beginner. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

beginner

noun
be·​gin·​ner bi-ˈgin-ər How to pronounce beginner (audio)
: a person who is beginning something or doing something for the first time : an inexperienced person

More from Merriam-Webster on beginner

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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