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1

welcome

play
verb wel·come \ˈwel-kəm\

Definition of welcome

welcomed

;

welcoming
  1. transitive verb

  2. 1 :  to greet hospitably and with courtesy or cordiality

  3. 2 :  to accept with pleasure the occurrence or presence of welcomes danger

welcomer

noun

See welcome defined for English-language learners

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Examples of welcome in a Sentence

  1. She welcomed the students into her home.

  2. We welcome you to the show.

  3. He's a bright student who welcomes a challenge.

Origin and Etymology of welcome

Middle English, from Old English welcumian, wylcumian, from wilcuma, noun


First Known Use: before 12th century

welcome Synonyms

Synonyms
drink (in), eat (up), embrace, lap (up)
Related Words
adopt, espouse, take up; greet, hail; enjoy, like, prefer; cherry-pick, choose, cull, decide (on), elect, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, select, single (out), take
Near Antonyms
balk (at), decline, pass up, refuse, reject, spurn, throw over, turn down; demur (to), object (to)
2

welcome

interjection wel·come

Definition of welcome

  1. —used to express a greeting to a guest or newcomer upon arrival

See welcome defined for English-language learners

See welcome defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of welcome

Middle English, alteration of wilcume, from Old English, from wilcuma desirable guest (akin to Old High German willicomo desirable guest); akin to Old English willa, will desire, cuman to come — more at will, come


First Known Use: 12th century

3

welcome

adjective wel·come

Definition of welcome

  1. 1 :  received gladly into one's presence or companionship was always welcome in their home

  2. 2 :  giving pleasure :  received with gladness or delight especially in response to a need a welcome relief

  3. 3 :  willingly permitted or admitted he was welcome to come and go — W. M. Thackeray

  4. 4 —used in the phrase “You're welcome” as a reply to an expression of thanks

welcomely

adverb

welcomeness

noun

See welcome defined for English-language learners

Examples of welcome in a Sentence

  1. That will be a welcome change.

  2. He was a welcome sight.

12th Century

First Known Use of welcome

12th century

welcome Synonyms

Synonyms
agreeable, blessed (also blest), congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, good, grateful, gratifying, heavenly, jolly, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, tasty, pleasant
Antonyms
disagreeable, pleasureless, unpalatable, unpleasant, unwelcome
Related Words
alluring, attractive, desirable, enviable, inviting, relishable, tempting; charming, enchanting, fascinating; calming, comforting, soothing; amusing, diverting, entertaining, recreative; affable, amiable, cheerful, cheery, comfortable, gemütlich, genial, goodly, good-natured, gracious, hospitable, kindly, personable; blissful, felicific, glad, happy, joyous; elating, exhilarating, intoxicating; ecstatic, euphoric, nirvanic, rapturous
Near Antonyms
abominable, ghastly, god-awful, hellish, horrid, miserable, wretched; bilious, disgusting, distasteful, obnoxious, offensive, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revulsive, unsavory, vile, yucky (also yukky); abhorrent, detestable, hateful, odious; boring, commonplace, dull, flat, insipid, irksome, stale, tedious; displeasing, dissatisfying; depressing, disheartening, dismal, dreary, gloomy, heartbreaking, heartrending, joyless, lachrymose, sad, unhappy; deplorable, doleful, dolorous, lamentable, lugubrious, mournful, regrettable, sorrowful, tragic (also tragical); aggravating, annoying, exasperating, irritating, peeving, perturbing, vexing; forbidding; hostile, intimidating; angering, enraging, incensing, inflaming (also enflaming), infuriating, maddening, outraging, rankling, riling; distressing, disturbing, upsetting
4

welcome

noun wel·come

Definition of welcome

  1. 1 :  a greeting or reception usually upon arrival a warm welcome

  2. 2 :  the state of being welcome overstayed their welcome

See welcome defined for English-language learners

Examples of welcome in a Sentence

  1. He was given a hero's welcome when he returned home after winning the race.

  2. offered a warm welcome to the stranger

1525

First Known Use of welcome

1525

welcome Synonyms

Synonyms
greeting, salutation, salute, hello
Antonyms
adieu, bon voyage, congé (also congee), farewell, Godspeed, good-bye (or good-by)
Related Words
ave, hail; amenities, civilities, pleasantries; regards, respects, wishes

Phrases Related to WELCOME

Related Phrases

WELCOME Defined for English Language Learners

1

welcome

play
verb wel·come \ˈwel-kəm\

Definition of welcome for English Language Learners

  • : to greet (someone) in a warm and friendly manner

  • : to receive or accept (something) with happiness or pleasure

2

welcome

interjection wel·come

Definition of welcome for English Language Learners

  • —used as a friendly greeting to someone who has arrived at a place

3

welcome

adjective wel·come

Definition of welcome for English Language Learners

  • : giving someone happiness or pleasure

  • —used to say that you are happy to have someone come to and stay in a place (such as your home)

4

welcome

noun wel·come

Definition of welcome for English Language Learners

  • : the way in which someone is greeted

WELCOME Defined for Kids

1

welcome

play
verb wel·come \ˈwel-kəm\

Definition of welcome for Students

welcomed

;

welcoming

  1. 1 :  to greet with friendship or courtesy

  2. 2 :  to receive or accept with pleasure We welcomed the opportunity to travel.

2

welcome

play
adjective wel·come

Definition of welcome for Students

  1. 1 :  greeted or received gladly a welcome rain Visitors are welcome.

  2. 2 :  giving pleasure :  pleasing a welcome sight

  3. 3 :  willingly permitted to do, have, or enjoy something You're welcome to come along.

  4. 4 —used in the phrase "You're welcome" as a reply to an expression of thanks

History for welcome

A welcome guest is someone whom you want to visit you. Appropriately, the word welcome goes back to an Old English word wilcuma that meant “desirable guest.” Wilcuma is a compound word formed from Old English willa, “desire, desirable thing,” and -cuma, a derivative of cuman, “to come.” (Willa and cuman are ancestors of modern English will and come.)

3

welcome

play
noun wel·come

Definition of welcome for Students

  1. :  a friendly greeting

Learn More about welcome

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for welcome Spanish Central: Translation of welcome Nglish: Translation of welcome for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of welcome for Arabic speakers

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Examples: welcome in a Sentence