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.

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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

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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

Explanation

If you're a novice at snowboarding, you're just learning the sport. On the Internet, a novice might be called a newbie, but your parents would call one a beginner. Novice is derived from the Latin word novus, which means new. A novice is new to what they do, so a novice photographer is just learning how to take nice pictures. Other words related to novice are novel "new, unusual," and innovate "to invent, begin with new ideas." Novice can also mean a member of a Christian order who has not yet taken their vows.

Example Sentences

Whether you are a veteran investor, a novice or a trader, it is useful to be reminded of fundamental principles that can help you to stay disciplined as you build wealth.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

OTTAWA—Mark Carney is a political novice no more.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Gina: An eight-year-old novice with just six runs over fences to his name so far.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

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

And why, oh why had he puffed away at that coal like an ignorant novice, when he had known for years exactly how to coax a flame into being?

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

Related Words

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