rookie

noun

rook·​ie ˈru̇-kē 

1

: recruit

also : novice

2

: a first-year participant in a major professional sport

Synonyms

• abecedarian
• apprentice
• babe
• beginner
• colt
• cub
• fledgling
• freshman
• greenhorn
• neophyte
• newbie
• newcomer
• novice
• novitiate
• punk
• recruit
• rook
• tenderfoot
• tyro
• virgin

Examples of rookie in a Sentence

There are three rookies in the starting lineup.

an experienced policeman whose partner is a rookie

Recent Examples on the Web

Shaquille O’Neal is riding with Bronny James as the rookie attempts to find his way in the NBA. —Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 18 July 2024

Dolphins rookies reported for training camp Tuesday. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2024

But like many rookies, there were times of inconsistency in the return game and as a receiver. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 16 July 2024

Related Articles Poll finds Garvey doesn’t pose threat to Schiff; no appetite for changing tax approval thresholds The baseball star and political rookie, Garvey, got 31.5% of the vote in the March primary, coming in second to Congressman Schiff, who got 31.6% of the vote. —Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 16 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of recruit

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rookie

noun

rook·​ie ˈru̇k-ē 

: beginner, recruit

especially : a first-year player in a professional sport