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

Bryce Underwood, the hyped freshman who’s vying for the top spot in Ann Arbor, could stand to have his coach alongside, especially if the Wolverines’ visit is selected to kick off under the lights. —Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 14 May 2025

One of the best freshmen in Southern California, Ayala went 7-3 with a 0.82 ERA in helping the Cougars win 12 of their last 13 games. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025

The only other freshmen to win those awards were former Texas forward Kevin Durant in 2007, Davis (who played at Kentucky) in 2012 and former Duke forward Zion Williamson in 2019. —Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

Created by Skinner, the TikTok star plays Benny, a college freshman trying to fit in with a very heteronormative group of friends while attempting to come to terms with his sexuality. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 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)