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.
Beginner teachers make about $63,000, and salaries top out at $123,500 for a teacher with a Ph.D.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 7, 2022
On Friday evening, Julio Jean teaches Absolute Beginner Afro-Haitian Dance, and Vado Diomande leads a more advanced class in dance from the Ivory Coast.
From New York Times • Jul. 1, 2021
So unless the “you” that Beginner Books was addressing was, say, Buzz Aldrin, it was all a big lie.
From The New Yorker • Jul. 18, 2019
Photobucket now has more accessible plans that range from $4.99 a month for a 25GB Beginner plan, to an $11.99 unlimited image hosting Expert plan.
From The Verge • Jun. 24, 2019
Ordered a book in the mail to learn the game, Bridge for the Beginner.
From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
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.
