greenhorn

noun

ˈgrēn-ˌhȯrn How to pronounce greenhorn (audio)
Definition of greenhornnext
as in novice
a person who is just starting out in a field of activity go easy on him—he's just a greenhorn and doesn't have all the experience you do

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of greenhorn The indestructible Gill, still strolling the fairways of the magazine, was more than welcoming to a greenhorn. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 5 May 2025 The author came to Canada from England in 1923 as a 23-year-old greenhorn. — Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 15 Aug. 2024 Hence the herring, every greenhorn’s rite of passage on the Wizard. — Ashley Boucher, EW.com, 11 June 2024 And if Major Kidd could give the kids a pep talk half as good as Rosie, these greenhorns might sleep a little easier. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for greenhorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for greenhorn
  1. novice
  2. beginner
  3. apprentice
  4. rookie
  5. newcomer
  6. freshman
Noun
  • To capture some of that essence, Guitar Center is trying to make its stores a place to hang out for novices and pros alike.
    — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In the latest, The Big Cats Dance Party, a high-profile case falls to a novice sleuth while the agency’s founder is away.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of novice
Noun
  • Coach Mike Brown said the program welcomes beginners and experienced runners, with an emphasis on effort and improvement.
    — Donald Fountain, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The machine handles the setup steps that usually trip up beginners.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of beginner
Noun
  • Founding and patenting gabardine Thomas Burberry, a cloth merchant’s apprentice, established his own shop in 1856 in Basingstoke, England, then a rural town located southwest of London.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For carpenters, delays and poor weather conditions can disrupt the working hours apprentices need to complete their program, causing some to quit.
    — Itzel Franco, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of apprentice
Noun
  • Pavia, 24, wasn’t selected in the 2026 NFL Draft and was cut by the Baltimore Ravens as a rookie free agent over the summer.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Garrett Mitchell walked, rookie Cooper Pratt laid down a sacrifice bunt and light-hitting Luis Lara banged the next pitch up the middle to score Mitchell from second for the 2-1 lead.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of rookie
Noun
  • While Christen and Jude remained among the hottest brands to check out at showroom appointments, other names pinpointed by buyers included Hagelstam, Nomasei, Neous and the newcomers Ananyan and Kiana Ghavidel.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But velvet ropes and VIP tiers can leave newcomers wondering whether the conversation is meant for them.
    — Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of newcomer
Noun
  • Meghan Sullivan, a 20-year-old junior who has been on the team since her freshman year, has had Huettl style her hair for every game for the past three years.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The freshman, who came to USC in the spring out of Santa Margarita High, rejoined the Trojans ahead of the Penn State game while the team faced a variety of injuries to other key players on both sides of the ball.
    — Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of freshman

Browse Nearby Words

green-eyed monster
greenhorn
greenhorns
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Greenhorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/greenhorn. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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