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

Example Sentences

Yet I feel like a befuddled novice, still grappling with the surprises.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Financial pros also advocate that novice investors use dollar-cost averaging, where they buy a certain dollar amount at set intervals, rather than going in all at once.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said the company had introduced more than 5,000 novices to the sport.

From BBC

Mills and Gillman, who have spent most of their career working with young novice skaters, said Carrillo, 26, needed time to warm to his new coaches and environment, a process that took nearly 18 months.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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