greenhorn

noun

green·​horn ˈgrēn-ˌhȯrn 

1

: an inexperienced or naive person

2

: a newcomer (as to a country) unacquainted with local manners and customs

Synonyms

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

Examples of greenhorn in a Sentence

He's not the most sophisticated businessman you'll ever meet, but he's no greenhorn.

go easy on him—he's just a greenhorn and doesn't have all the experience you do

Recent Examples on the Web

The author came to Canada from England in 1923 as a 23-year-old greenhorn. —Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 15 Aug. 2024

Hence the herring, every greenhorn’s rite of passage on the Wizard. —Ashley Boucher, EW.com, 11 June 2024

And if Major Kidd could give the kids a pep talk half as good as Rosie, these greenhorns might sleep a little easier. —Chris Klimek, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2024

Behind her, a greenhorn named Jessie (Cailee Spaeny) takes photos of Lee taking photos of the dead, and behind Jessie, of course, are Garland and his cinematographer Rob Hardy filming images of both women. —Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

obsolete greenhorn animal with green or young horns

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

greenhorn

noun

green·​horn -ˌhȯrn 

: an inexperienced person

especially : one easily tricked or cheated