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 of freshman

• 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

With redshirt freshman guard Marcus Wilson making two jumpers in the final minute, UCD held off Sac State 77-73 in front of an energized, overflow crowd of 3,786 inside the rocking and rolling University Credit Union Center, in a meeting of head coaches who are former Sacramento Kings guards. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 15 Nov. 2025

After he was discharged, the freshman entered a rehabilitation center in Jacksonville. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025

Zion Wilburn, a freshman who had 1 point in his prior three games, came off the bench for the Bulldogs to tie teammate Cade Norris with a team-high 15 points. —Christina Long, Arkansas Online, 14 Nov. 2025

The Horned Frogs will also be without true freshman wide receiver Ed Small for another week. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 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)