beginner

noun

be·​gin·​ner bi-ˈgi-nər 

bē-

: one that begins something

especially : an inexperienced person

Synonyms

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

Examples of beginner in a Sentence

although our son is only a beginner at swimming, he is making excellent progress

Recent Examples on the Web

The basic 6- to 8-inch chef knife works best for most people, especially for beginners. —Molly Higgins, Wired News, 2 May 2025

The small quadcopter is light enough to sidestep FAA registration requirements so beginner pilots can use it without a fee and with fewer restrictions than heavier drones. —PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025

This Dungeons and Dragons Starter Bundle combines some essential materials for new players to get started, including premade character sheets, an introductory rule book, a super-easy first campaign, and dice, making an otherwise complicated game a lot easier to understand for tweens or beginners. —Anja Webb, Parents, 30 Apr. 2025

Especially for beginners or people returning to running after kids. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing beginner

• beginner's luck

Rhymes for beginner

• breadwinner
• dinner
• inner
• pinner
• sinner
• spinner
• thinner
• tinner
• winner

Kids Definition

beginner

noun

be·​gin·​ner bi-ˈgin-ər 

: a person who is beginning something or doing something for the first time : an inexperienced person