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

Duke Projected starters: Cayden Boozer (freshman), Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, Cameron Boozer (freshman), Patrick Ngongba Notable returners: Darren Harris, Maliq Brown Other newcomers: Shelton Henderson, Nikolas Khamenia Duke could have some roster retention work to do here. —Cj Moore, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

Bain had 44 tackles (13 for loss) and 7.5 sacks as a freshman in 2023, then produced 23 tackles (six for loss) and 3.5 sacks in nine games last season. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025

The 7-foot-2 freshman declined to speak with media following the Blue Devils’ loss to Houston on Saturday night. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025

The freshman scored three times and had an assist to lead De La Salle to a 20-1 win over San Ramon Valley. —Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 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)