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

• 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

On the first day of school, Dunbar’s freshmen were told to wait outside in a single-file line, and enter the building one by one. —Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025

The former top-100 recruit leads all freshman QBs with 41 explosive plays (16-yard passes or 12-yard runs) and has thrown 13 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. —The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

By then, Rattler was in his junior year as the starting quarterback for the Sooners, and Williams was a true freshman and would soon emerge in the starting role as Rattler was benched halfway through the season. —Tyler Geis, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025

When Eget went down against Wyoming, senior Xavier Ward and freshman Tama Amisone split reps at quarterback until Eget returned. —Aaron Johnson, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 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)