noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of beginner
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at begin, -er 1
Explanation
A beginner is someone who's brand new at something. In swimming lessons, a beginner practices putting her face in the water and blowing bubbles. If you're a beginner, you're a novice or an amateur — in other words, you're still learning. When you're learning to drive, you're a beginner and probably need the help of an instructor while you drive carefully around your neighborhood. A beginner at speaking French might be able to say a few phrases and know some basic vocabulary words. The earliest meaning of beginner, from the 14th century, was "founder," or "person who establishes an institution."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"To be a beginner swimmer, you are humbled by the water," he says.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026
The free evening yoga class is beginner friendly and all levels are welcome.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026
Now that you are familiar with beginner balance exercises, try these powerful — and impactful — plyometric exercises for improving balance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Why would a billionaire choose to become a beginner again?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
As of this writing, petersax-online2 had many exercises graded from simple to more difficult to help the beginner practice playing what you hear.
From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones
The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly spoke with MarketWatch’s Genna Contino to help her pick her first rewards credit card — and shared further tips for beginners in the points game.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026
If software can handle the basic work once given to new graduates, companies have less incentive to hire beginners who need to learn.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
For beginners, the NHS Couch to 5K programme offers a free nine-week plan designed to gradually build fitness and help people run five kilometres without stopping.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
The yoga class is open to all levels, including beginners, but participants must reserve a spot and bring their own mats for both sessions, which will be held inside the museum’s spacious, airy lobby.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
Maybe not as big as the last party, but definitely not one for beginners.
From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
