freshman

noun, often attributive

fresh·man | \ ˈfresh-mən

How to pronounce freshman (audio)

\

Definition of freshman

1 : a first-year student

2 : beginner, newcomer

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about freshman

Keep scrolling for more

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

Kevin, who is two years younger and was three grades behind, played a handful of games on varsity as a freshman. — Peter Dawson, star-telegram, "First family of Fort Worth basketball still shining after careers at TCU, Kansas," 12 July 2018 Despite Wolford’s departure, Wake Forest’s playmakers still include sophomore wide receiver Greg Dortch, who decimated Louisville with 10 catches for 167 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman. — Jake Lourim, The Courier-Journal, "How Louisville football can (and can't) lose to Wake Forest," 9 July 2018 As a freshman, Thompson played as the punter and averaged 34.2 yards per punt. — Mark Iandolo, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Where are they now? Adams, Brogan, Thompson and Yazid," 6 July 2018 Napier played college ball as a freshman with Walker at Connecticut. — Rick Bonnell, charlotteobserver, "With free-agent guards dwindling, here are 2 remaining options for Charlotte Hornets," 4 July 2018 Virginia Tech also landed 2017 Orlando Dr. Phillips defensive end Robert Porcher IV, who redshirted last season as a freshman. — Chris Hays, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Virginia Tech taps Orlando-area pipeline; Osceola DL Mario Kendricks Jr. commits," 1 July 2018 One freshman senator who speaks with Trump regularly is Rick Scott, R-Fla. — Seung-min Kim, The Seattle Times, "‘He just picks up’: Trump and the lawmakers he loves to talk to on the phone," 20 Feb. 2019 Many of Ocasio-Cortez's progressive freshmen colleagues are also sponsors, including Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Deb Haaland (NM-01), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), all of whom ran on environmental justice as part of their platforms. — Bridget Read, Vogue, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal Resolution Gets Support From the Major 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidates," 7 Feb. 2019 Social media was instantly infatuated with the freshman congresswoman's latest stylish look—with some likening her to Olivia Pope, donning the figurative white hat. — Kerry Pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Perfect White Cape Blazer, We Salute You," 6 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'freshman.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for freshman

freshman

noun

English Language Learners Definition of freshman

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

chiefly US : someone who is starting a job or activity

See the full definition for freshman in the English Language Learners Dictionary

freshman

noun

fresh·man | \ ˈfresh-mən

\

plural freshmen\ -mən \

Kids Definition of freshman

: a first year student in high school or college

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

purview

the range of authority or knowledge

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games