freshman

noun

fresh·​man ˈfresh-mən 

often attributive

1

: a student in the first year of high school or college

2

: beginner, newcomer

especially : a person who is starting a job or activity

freshman lawmakers

Synonyms

• abecedarian
• apprentice
• babe
• beginner
• colt
• cub
• fledgling
• greenhorn
• neophyte
• newbie
• newcomer
• novice
• novitiate
• punk
• recruit
• rook
• rookie
• tenderfoot
• tyro
• virgin

Examples of freshman in a Sentence

My daughter's a freshman at UCLA.

He was the best freshman in professional basketball this year.

Recent Examples on the Web

Listen to this article GAINESVILLE — Florida freshman slugger Taylor Shumaker ended her weekend slump in record-setting fashion but not before shortstop Rylee Holtorf showed why the Gators will be a tough out during the Women’s College World Series. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2025

Arkansas stayed with the hot hand of freshman right-hander Payton Burnham, who pitched a shutout in a 4-0 victory Saturday. —Ethan Westerman, Arkansas Online, 26 May 2025

And the team controlled 17 of 24 draws courtesy of the trio of redshirt sophomore Kaleigh Harden (six draw controls), graduate student Sophie Student (five) and freshman Eliza Osburn (four). —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 25 May 2025

Remember how LaVar Ball didn’t care that his youngest son, LaMelo, was 13 years old playing summer basketball as a freshman for Chino Hills. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing freshman

• freshman orientation
• pre-freshman

Rhymes for freshman

• freshmen

Kids Definition

freshman

noun

fresh·​man ˈfresh-mən 

1

: beginner, newcomer

2

: a student in the first year (as of high school or college)