Novice - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT novice /ˈnɑvəs/ /ˈnɒvɪs/ IPA guide

Other forms: novices

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.

Definitions of novice

noun someone new to a field or activity synonyms: beginner, initiate, tiro, tyro see moresee less types: show 10 types... hide 10 types... abecedarian a novice learning the rudiments of some subject apprentice, intern, learner, prentice someone who works for an expert to learn a trade cub, greenhorn, rookie an awkward and inexperienced youth landlubber, landsman, lubber an inexperienced sailor; a sailor on the first voyage entrant, fledgeling, fledgling, freshman, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, starter a participant with no experience with an activity tenderfoot an inexperienced person (especially someone inexperienced in outdoor living) trainee someone who is being trained cadet, plebe a military trainee (as at a military academy) printer's devil an apprentice in a printing establishment enlistee, recruit any new member or supporter (as in the armed forces) type of: unskilled person a person who lacks technical training
noun someone who has entered a religious order but has not taken final vows synonyms: novitiate see moresee less type of: religious person a person who manifests devotion to a deity

Pronunciation US /ˈnɑvəs/ UK /ˈnɒvɪs/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Vocabulary lists containing novice

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Looking for some new words? Learn this list of terms based on neo-, a Greek prefix meaning "new," and novare, Latin for "to make new."

I'm New Here...

We all experience growing pains when we're in new environments, whether it is a new school or a new job. Sometimes our personal inexperience is to blame, but other times the situation itself is new and unclear because of it. Getting in on the ground floor of something can be exciting, but it can be scary, too. Here are fifteen words about situations that are new and people new to situations.

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