debutant

American

[deb-yoo-tahnt, -yuh-] / ˈdɛb yʊˌtɑnt, -yə- /

Or débutant

noun

a person who makes a debut into a professional career or before the public.

debutant British

/ ˈdɛbjʊˌtɑːnt, -ˌtænt /

noun

a person who is making a first appearance in a particular capacity, such as a sportsperson playing in a first game for a team

"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 debutant

1815–25; < French débutant, present participle of débuter. See debut, -ant

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.

Debutant Kristian Clarke made an unbeaten 24 after he put on 42 runs for the eighth wicket with Mitchell.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

Debutant Jake Weatherald got the nod for Perth.

From Barron's • Nov. 23, 2025

Debutant Burn, 32, looked comfortable in the first half but was caught out a couple of times in the second half against Albania - and Guehi was involved in both of Latvia's first-half chances.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2025

Debutant GB Sevens player Jade Shekells brought a physical presence off the bench to bounce off multiple Italian defenders, while replacement scrum-half Flo Robinson, through various snipes, also looked bright on her first cap.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2025

Debutant left-armer Josh Hull and off-spinner Bashir could provide neither control nor threat, while Nissanka tucked in when Olly Stone was too short.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023