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

The original case dates back to the early hours of May 8, 1981, when Sebold, then a Syracuse University freshman, was brutally raped in a park near campus. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 17 July 2026

Sascha and Julian both graduated from Duke University, while Shepherd started his freshman year at the same North Carolina college in 2024. — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Included in her village is Kai, who will be soon be a freshman at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, two counties away. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Aarnisalo averaged 21 minutes per game as a freshman and 27 as a sophomore. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

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)