freshman

[ fresh-muhn ]
See synonyms for freshman on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural fresh·men.
  1. a student in the first year of the course at a university, college, or high school.

  2. a novice; beginner.

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a freshman: to outgrow one's freshman attitudes.

  2. lacking seniority or experience; junior: a freshman senator.

  1. required of or suitable for freshmen: freshman courses.

  2. initial; first: This is my freshman year with the company.

Origin of freshman

1
First recorded in 1540–50; fresh + -man

usage note For freshman

See -man.

Other words from freshman

  • fresh·man·ship, noun
  • pre·fresh·man, noun, plural pre·fresh·men.
  • sub·fresh·man, noun, plural sub·fresh·men.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use freshman in a sentence

  • They had expected, as freshmen, to be quite haughtily ignored by the seniors and juniors.

    Ruth Fielding At College | Alice B. Emerson
  • "You will meet me in mathematics, young ladies," she said, shaking hands with the two introduced freshmen.

    Ruth Fielding At College | Alice B. Emerson
  • But as the trio of freshmen went on toward Dare Hall, Ruth shook her head doubtfully.

    Ruth Fielding At College | Alice B. Emerson
  • The three freshmen friends from Briarwood learned a good deal more that evening than the Year Book would ever have taught them.

    Ruth Fielding At College | Alice B. Emerson
  • The Freshmen made a break from around the flag staff and ran toward the place where a much-needed supper awaited them.