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

Those talks will likely involve some combination of first-round draft picks and young players, including rookie guard Stephon Castle, fifth-year guard Devin Vassell and third-year forward Jeremy Sochan. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Jan. 2025

Morton worked for Campbell in 2022 with the Lions and helped the Broncos offense improve the past two years under Payton, which included the blossoming of rookie quarterback Bo Nix in 2024. —Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 28 Jan. 2025

That's not to say rookie quarterbacks are always ready to go by Week 1 of the regular season, but the Jets might want someone who can be ready to go when the 2025 season starts. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Donna Kelce also joined the group for the AFC Championship matchup on Sunday and was seen hugging Swift and her mother after Chiefs rookie Xavier Worthy scored a touchdown to give Kansas City the lead back in the second quarter. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 27 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