welcome

American  

[wel-kuhm] / ˈwɛl kəm /

interjection

1. (a word of kindly greeting, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure).

   Welcome, stranger!

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noun

1. a kindly greeting or reception, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure.

   to give someone a warm welcome.

verb (used with object)

welcomed, welcoming

1. to greet the arrival of (a person, guests, etc.) with pleasure or kindly courtesy.

2. to receive or accept with pleasure; regard as pleasant or good.

   to welcome a change.

3. to meet, accept, or receive (an action, challenge, person, etc.) in a specified, especially unfriendly, manner.

   They welcomed him with hisses and catcalls.

adjective

1. gladly received, as one whose arrival gives pleasure.

   a welcome visitor.

2. agreeable, as something arriving, occurring, or experienced.

   a welcome rest.

3. given full right by the cordial consent of others.

   She is welcome to try it.

4. without obligation for the courtesy, favor, or service received (used as a conventional response to expressions of thanks): He thanked me, and I told him he was welcome.

   You're quite welcome; I'm glad you like the gift.

   He thanked me, and I told him he was welcome.

idioms

1. wear out one's welcome, to make one's visits so frequent or of such long duration that they become offensive.

   Your cousins have long since worn out their welcome.

welcome British  

/ ˈwɛlkəm /

adjective

1. gladly and cordially received or admitted

   a welcome guest

2. bringing pleasure or gratitude

   a welcome gift

3. freely permitted or invited

   you are welcome to call

4. under no obligation (only in such phrases as you're welcome or he's welcome , as conventional responses to thanks)

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1. an expression of cordial greeting, esp to a person whose arrival is desired or pleasing

noun

1. the act of greeting or receiving a person or thing; reception

   the new theory had a cool welcome

2. to come more often or stay longer than is acceptable or pleasing

verb

1. to greet the arrival of (visitors, guests, etc) cordially or gladly

2. to receive or accept, esp gladly

welcome More Idioms  

1. see warm welcome; wear out one's welcome; you're welcome.

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Other Word Forms

• prewelcome noun
• unwelcome adjective
• unwelcomed adjective
• unwelcoming adjective
• welcomely adverb
• welcomeness noun
• welcomer noun

Etymology

Origin of welcome

First recorded before 900; Middle English, from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse velkominn, equivalent to vel well ¹ + kominn come (past participle); replacing Old English wilcuma “one who is welcome,” equivalent to wil- welcome ( will ² ) + cuma “comer”

Example Sentences

Mainoo, who received a hero's welcome from fans when he came on as a substitute, had a request to leave Old Trafford on loan rejected in August and speculation continues over a potential January switch.

From Barron's

Abu Srour is proud of what came out of the field, with youth sports delegations able to travel abroad to play, a welcome escape from the West Bank's myriad restrictions.

From Barron's

In 2010, he welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to England on an official visit.

From BBC

This decline in reinsurance pricing is welcome news for so-called primary insurers, which sell policies to individuals and businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry welcomed the arms sale by expressing “sincere gratitude.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• appreciated
• desirable
• gratifying
• pleasant
• pleasing
• refreshing
• satisfying