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beginner

American  
[bih-gin-er] / bɪˈgɪn ər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that begins.

  2. a person who has begun begun a course of instruction or is learning the fundamentals.

    swimming for beginners.

  3. a person who is inexperienced; novice.

beginner British  
/ bɪˈɡɪnə /

noun

  1. a person who has just started to do or learn something; novice

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of beginner

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; begin, -er 1

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.

The two women running by with a dog on a leash must think I’m some kind of out-of-shape beginner, but that’s OK.

From Literature

"That's a chance for beginners like me who can use AI to just make a film and to announce to the world that I have the ability to be a director," he told AFP.

From Barron's

He said the big difference over the last 50 days was that the centre had been able to open up more runs than just its beginners' area.

From BBC

“Not bad for a beginner,” the sailing-school owner said, pocketing her money.

From Literature

As a beginner, I expected the arms and hands to flail around, knocking the blocks and cups around the room.

From BBC

Definitions 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.