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

Flory Bidunga, a player who seemed occasionally lost defensively as a freshman, became the Big 12 Conference defensive player of the year and a finalist for the national award as a sophomore. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2026

One of those freshman moving in is Jocelyn Monroe, who is making a difference from the circle. —Charles Baggarly april 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026

She’s tied with shortstop/third baseman Ava Lazare, a fellow freshman, for the team lead with six RBIs. —Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026

This is the 10th season since UConn's sixth and last undefeated national title in 2016, a 38-0 team with a roster of eight future pros that included four-time champions Stewart and Moriah Jefferson in their senior seasons when Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson were freshmen. —ABC News, 1 Apr. 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)