neophyte

[ nee-uh-fahyt ]

noun

1. a beginner or novice:

   He's a neophyte at chess.

   Synonyms: tyro, greenhorn

2. Roman Catholic Church. a novice.
3. a person newly converted to a belief, as a heathen, heretic, or nonbeliever; proselyte.
4. Primitive Church. a person newly baptized.

neophyte

/ ˌniːəʊˈfɪtɪk; ˈniːəʊˌfaɪt /

noun

1. a person newly converted to a religious faith
2. RC Church a novice in a religious order
3. a novice or beginner

Derived Forms

• neophytic, adjective

Other Words From

• ne·o·phyt·ic [nee-, uh, -, fit, -ik], ne·o·phyt·ish [nee, -, uh, -fahy-tish], adjective
• ne·o·phyt·ism [nee, -, uh, -fahy-tiz-, uh, m], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of neophyte¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Late Latin neophytus “newly planted,” from Greek neóphytos; neo-, -phyte

Word History and Origins

Origin of neophyte¹

C16: via Church Latin from New Testament Greek neophutos recently planted, from neos new + phuton a plant

Example Sentences

The suicide of the chief physician at the former tuberculosis sanatorium shortly thereafter tied up that investigation with a neat bow for neophyte detective Hulda Hermannsdóttir and her boss.

From Los Angeles Times

The racist comments “united hard-core basketball fans and sports neophytes, celebrities and everyday people, young and old in their condemnation of the 80-year-old Sterling.”

From Los Angeles Times

Or maybe the man who orchestrated this scam, conservative activist Glen Morgan, should have known the law and told these neophytes they would be breaking it if they ran for governor.

From Seattle Times

In 2002, Davis faced Republican Bill Simon Jr. The political neophyte was a bumbling candidate who ran a terrible campaign.

From Los Angeles Times

But when production started, Guadagnino was a neophyte: “I was completely ignorant about tennis,” he said.

From New York Times

Related Words

• newcomer
• novice