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

An All-Star as a rookie in 2024, Reese is shooting 31.3% (15-for-48) and averaging 9.2 points. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2025

Setup man Jake Bird has pitched well, hard-throwing Seth Halvorsen has been solid outside of two brutal outings, and Victor Vodnik, coming off a decent rookie season, returned from the IL this week to further fortify the bullpen. —Chad Jennings, New York Times, 29 May 2025

Maye began 3-of-3, hitting rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, Kyle Williams and Kendrick Bourne on short passes. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 28 May 2025

Grayson Murphy, the former UCLA edge rusher who missed his rookie season last year due to injury, had a nice pressure on No. 4 quarterback Brett Gabbert, flushing him out of the pocket. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of recruit

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rookie

• bookie
• cookie

Kids Definition

rookie

noun

rook·​ie ˈru̇k-ē 

: beginner, recruit

especially : a first-year player in a professional sport