freshman

[ fresh-muhn ]

noun

, plural fresh·men.

1. a student in the first year of the course at a university, college, or high school.
2. a novice; beginner.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a freshman:

   to outgrow one's freshman attitudes.

2. lacking seniority or experience; junior:

   a freshman senator.

3. required of or suitable for freshmen:

   freshman courses.

4. initial; first:

   This is my freshman year with the company.

Gender Note

See -man.

Other Words From

• freshman·ship noun
• pre·freshman noun plural prefreshmen
• sub·freshman noun plural subfreshmen

Word History and Origins

Origin of freshman¹

First recorded in 1540–50; fresh + -man

Example Sentences

He returned to set the freshman rushing record at Ohio State with 1,403 yards.

From Los Angeles Times

Former St. John Bosco quarterback Caleb Sanchez, a freshman at Columbia, was named the Ivy League rookie of the week after passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s 6 feet 6, 220 pounds and got a big thrill when his freshman brother, Eli, threw him a pass to complete a dunk.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the No. 1 goalie to watch this season is sophomore Jackson Friedman, who had seven shutouts as a freshman for the Mission League champion Wolverines.

From Los Angeles Times

I told him that we were linked because his first game as head coach was my first game as a USC freshman.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• novice
• rookie
• undergraduate