novice

American  

[nov-is] / ˈnɒv ɪs /

noun

1. a person who is new to the circumstances, work, etc., in which they are placed; beginner; tyro.

   The new senator was a novice in politics.

   Synonyms:

   newcomer, neophyte, greenhorn, beginner

2. a person who has been received into a religious order or congregation for a period of probation before taking vows.

   Synonyms:

   neophyte

3. a person newly become a church member.

4. a recent convert to Christianity.

---

novice British  

/ ˈnɒvɪs /

noun

1. 1. a person who is new to or inexperienced in a certain task, situation, etc; beginner; tyro

   2. ( as modifier )

      novice driver

2. a probationer in a religious order

3. a sportsman, esp an oarsman, who has not won a recognized prize, performed to an established level, etc

4. a racehorse, esp a steeplechaser or hurdler, that has not won a specified number of races

---

Other Word Forms

• novicehood noun
• novicelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of novice

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English novyce, from Middle French novice, from Medieval Latin novītius “convent novice,” variant of Latin novīcius “newly come into a particular status,” derivative of novus new. See -itious

Example Sentences

Davignon, who went on to become a vice president of the European Commission in the 1980s, was a novice diplomat at the time of the assassination.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

While falls from ski lifts are rare, the possibility weighs heavily on the psyches of many novice skiers and snowboarders.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

McGregor was a novice and Mayweather carried him through ten rounds before bringing an end to the contest.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

The study, however, showed that novice users quickly improved their understanding of the system’s functionality, Ford said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Mayor Axelrod got up with a megaphone on the platform at the front and started calling out the winners, starting with the novice classes.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Related Words

• beginner
• learner
• neophyte
• newcomer
• pupil
• trainee