rookie

noun

rook·​ie ˈru̇-kē 

1

: recruit

also : novice

2

: a first-year participant in a major professional sport

Synonyms

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

Examples of rookie in a Sentence

There are three rookies in the starting lineup.

an experienced policeman whose partner is a rookie

Recent Examples on the Web

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels is one of the best rookie QBs to ever grace the league, while Detroit has muscled through some of the worst injury luck en route to the No. 1 seed. —Chris Branch, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

Giants quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney worked as Bo Nix’s offensive coordinator at last year’s Senior Bowl, and the Giants still passed on the Oregon quarterback who just led the Denver Broncos to the playoffs as a rookie. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2025

Their pass protection has been just as troublesome, while quarterback C.J. Stroud has been good this year but has taken a step back from his rookie form last season. —Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2025

Four months later, Johnson was signed by the Bills and worked his way to complement starter James Cook and fourth-round rookie Ray Davis in the running back room. —Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of recruit

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rookie

noun

rook·​ie ˈru̇k-ē 

: beginner, recruit

especially : a first-year player in a professional sport