Copy Citation
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
welcomed; welcoming
1
: to greet hospitably and with courtesy or cordiality
2
: to accept with pleasure the occurrence or presence of
welcomes danger
welcomer
noun
—used to express a greeting to a guest or newcomer upon arrival
1
: received gladly into one's presence or companionship
was always welcome in their home
2
: giving pleasure : received with gladness or delight especially in response to a need
a welcome relief
3
: willingly permitted or admitted
he was welcome to come and go—
W. M. Thackeray
W. M. Thackeray4
—used in the phrase "You're welcome" as a reply to an expression of thanks
welcomely
adverb
welcomeness
noun
1
: a greeting or reception usually upon arrival
a warm welcome
2
: the state of being welcome
overstayed their welcome
Synonyms
Example Sentences
Verb
She welcomed the students into her home.
We welcome you to the show.
He's a bright student who welcomes a challenge.
Adjective
That will be a welcome change.
He was a welcome sight.
Noun
He was given a hero's welcome when he returned home after winning the race.
offered a warm welcome to the stranger
See More
Recent Examples on the WebSophie Dweck, Town & Country, 2 Mar. 2023
Then welcome these breakfast nachos in your morning.
—Paul Kita, Men's Health, 28 Feb. 2023
In this fight against Al Shabab, most Somalis welcome the small American military presence, which trains the Danab, or Lightning, as Somali special forces units are known.
—Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2023
Intelligence Matters / Derek Chollet Producer: Olivia Gazis Lightly edited for clarity MICHAEL MORELL: Derek, welcome back to Intelligence Matters.
—CBS News, 22 Feb. 2023
For those of us who value not only literature but the idiosyncratic legacy of academic literary studies, Guillory does not bring good or welcome news.
—Evan Kindley, The New York Review of Books, 16 Feb. 2023
Starter Bakery is preparing to welcome guests to its first cafe and bakery space in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood on Saturday, March 4.
—Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Feb. 2023
On this episode: This week, the guys welcome back Free Press Red Wings beat writer Helene St. James to discuss the problematic power play performance and scoring droughts of the team.
—Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 2 Feb. 2023
Göteborg Film Festival, running from Jan. 27-Feb. 5, will welcome back some familiar faces during its 46th edition.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Jan. 2023
Laura Groch
Feb. 12, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2023
Includes welcome cocktail, appetizers, 3-course dinner paired with bourbon and wine.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 12 Feb. 2023
The new Betfred Sportsbook welcome bonus lasts until April 15, 2023.
—Chris Ilenstine, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2023
Live Aid is a welcome break from the tensions of the tour.
—Edward Kiersh, SPIN, 11 Feb. 2023
The Showtime pickup should come as a welcome surprise to fans, who were left hanging when season 1 ended on a massive cliffhanger in which Michael and Colin (Watkins) reconnected at a wedding.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2023
Chez Panisse, Berkeley, CA’s iconic farm-to-table restaurant, would be a welcome locale for a luxe evening.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Feb. 2023
Function is far and away the priority here, but some swerve is also welcome in the box.
—Isaiah Freeman-schub, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2023
Dib’s family, Enter the Florpus is a very welcome return for a cult classic.
—WIRED, 10 Feb. 2023
Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2023
The welcome was provided by Reverend Andrew Nunn, the dean of Southwark.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2023
The locker room celebration, the joyous welcome home, the media appearances and the parade — all of those moments blurred together, too.
—The Courier-Journal, 16 Feb. 2023
Sponsors are, and should be, given tremendous latitude in deciding how their exemptions are used, and the Phoenix Open's are the customary mix of the welcome, the defensible and the bewildering.
—Eamon Lynch, The Arizona Republic, 8 Feb. 2023
But there’s also the very welcome of new wallpaper to celebrate Black History Month.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2023
The exciting welcome offer new users can look forward to will include: $50 bonus bet upon first deposit.
—Catena Media, oregonlive, 21 Jan. 2023
The Golden Nugget NJ offers a huge variety of promotions like the welcome offer deposit bonus where the casino will match your first deposit up to $1,000 and give players 200 free spins on 88 Fortunes Megaways.
—Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 17 Dec. 2022
A few days later, a crowd of 100,000 gave him a hero’s welcome at Union Square beneath Henry Kirke Brown’s already beloved bronze equestrian statue of George Washington.
—Harold Holzer, WSJ, 17 Feb. 2023
See More
Verb
To welcome them, the Wales couple hosted the Norwegian royals at Windsor Castle.
—Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 2 Mar. 2023
Then welcome these breakfast nachos in your morning.
—Paul Kita, Men's Health, 28 Feb. 2023
In this fight against Al Shabab, most Somalis welcome the small American military presence, which trains the Danab, or Lightning, as Somali special forces units are known.
—Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2023
Intelligence Matters / Derek Chollet Producer: Olivia Gazis Lightly edited for clarity MICHAEL MORELL: Derek, welcome back to Intelligence Matters.
—CBS News, 22 Feb. 2023
For those of us who value not only literature but the idiosyncratic legacy of academic literary studies, Guillory does not bring good or welcome news.
—Evan Kindley, The New York Review of Books, 16 Feb. 2023
Starter Bakery is preparing to welcome guests to its first cafe and bakery space in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood on Saturday, March 4.
—Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Feb. 2023
On this episode: This week, the guys welcome back Free Press Red Wings beat writer Helene St. James to discuss the problematic power play performance and scoring droughts of the team.
—Kirkland Crawford, Detroit Free Press, 2 Feb. 2023
Göteborg Film Festival, running from Jan. 27-Feb. 5, will welcome back some familiar faces during its 46th edition.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 27 Jan. 2023
Adjective
Volunteers are always welcome to participate in Pack Outs at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, where boxes are packed with nutritious food for students and their families.
—Laura Groch
Feb. 12, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2023
Includes welcome cocktail, appetizers, 3-course dinner paired with bourbon and wine.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 12 Feb. 2023
The new Betfred Sportsbook welcome bonus lasts until April 15, 2023.
—Chris Ilenstine, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2023
Live Aid is a welcome break from the tensions of the tour.
—Edward Kiersh, SPIN, 11 Feb. 2023
The Showtime pickup should come as a welcome surprise to fans, who were left hanging when season 1 ended on a massive cliffhanger in which Michael and Colin (Watkins) reconnected at a wedding.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2023
Chez Panisse, Berkeley, CA’s iconic farm-to-table restaurant, would be a welcome locale for a luxe evening.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Feb. 2023
Function is far and away the priority here, but some swerve is also welcome in the box.
—Isaiah Freeman-schub, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2023
Dib’s family, Enter the Florpus is a very welcome return for a cult classic.
—WIRED, 10 Feb. 2023
Noun
Your arrival may be more subtle, but the welcome and the wine will be the same.
—Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2023
The welcome was provided by Reverend Andrew Nunn, the dean of Southwark.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2023
The locker room celebration, the joyous welcome home, the media appearances and the parade — all of those moments blurred together, too.
—The Courier-Journal, 16 Feb. 2023
Sponsors are, and should be, given tremendous latitude in deciding how their exemptions are used, and the Phoenix Open's are the customary mix of the welcome, the defensible and the bewildering.
—Eamon Lynch, The Arizona Republic, 8 Feb. 2023
But there’s also the very welcome of new wallpaper to celebrate Black History Month.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2023
The exciting welcome offer new users can look forward to will include: $50 bonus bet upon first deposit.
—Catena Media, oregonlive, 21 Jan. 2023
The Golden Nugget NJ offers a huge variety of promotions like the welcome offer deposit bonus where the casino will match your first deposit up to $1,000 and give players 200 free spins on 88 Fortunes Megaways.
—Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 17 Dec. 2022
A few days later, a crowd of 100,000 gave him a hero’s welcome at Union Square beneath Henry Kirke Brown’s already beloved bronze equestrian statue of George Washington.
—Harold Holzer, WSJ, 17 Feb. 2023
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'welcome.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Old English welcumian, wylcumian, from wilcuma, noun
Interjection
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
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Interjection
12th century, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of welcome was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing welcome
Articles Related to welcome
Dictionary Entries Near welcome
Cite this Entry
“Welcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welcome. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
welcome
1 of 4 interjection
wel·come
ˈwel-kəm 
—used to greet a guest or newcomer upon arrival
welcome
2 of 4 verb
welcomed; welcoming
1
: to greet in a warm and friendly manner
2
: to receive or accept with pleasure
welcomes a challenge
welcomer
noun
welcome
3 of 4 adjective1
: received gladly
a welcome visitor
2
: giving pleasure : pleasing
welcome news
3
: willingly permitted to do, have, or enjoy something
anyone is welcome to use the pool
4
—used in the phrase "You're welcome" as a reply to an expression of thanks
welcome
4 of 4 noun
: a friendly greeting or reception
More from Merriam-Webster on welcome
Nglish: Translation of welcome for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of welcome for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Name That Flower
Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
Take the quiz
-
Are You Feeling Lucky?
A charming quiz about fortunate and unfortunate w...
Take the quiz
-
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share