rookie

noun

rook·​ie ˈru̇-kē 

1

: recruit

also : novice

2

: a first-year participant in a major professional sport

Synonyms of rookie

• novice
• beginner
• freshman
• newcomer
• apprentice

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

This, then, was the serious fan’s first shot at looking at new faces like Lee Hunter, the Panthers’ 315-pound rookie defensive tackle. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026

Murakami tied Kazuma Okamoto for the Japanese rookie home run record with his 24th in the third, and Montgomery gave the AL Central-leading White Sox a 6-1 lead in the sixth with a two-run shot over the Tropicana Field wall. — CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

The Minnesota Twins continue to buy before the MLB trade deadline, acquiring starting pitcher Dean Kremer from the Baltimore Orioles for a rookie-ball outfielder, the teams announced. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

San Diego’s offense, by contrast, totaled 12 hits, the loudest being rookie Jase Bowen’s first career home run in the bottom of the fourth. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of recruit

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rookie

• bookie
• cookie

Kids Definition

rookie

noun

rook·​ie ˈru̇k-ē 

: beginner, recruit

especially : a first-year player in a professional sport