rookie
Americannoun
-
an athlete playing their first season as a member of a professional sports team.
The rookie replaced the injured regular at first base.
-
a raw recruit, as in the army or on a police force.
-
a novice; tyro.
noun
Usage
What does Rookie of the Year mean? Rookie of the Year is an award given to an athlete judged most accomplished in the first season of their sport.
Etymology
Origin of rookie
Explanation
A rookie is someone who's new at something. The young football player who's just joined the NFL is a rookie, and if you just started your restaurant job yesterday, you're a rookie too. Police officers and members of the military also call recent recruits rookies. This word can also function as an adjective to describe something related to newbies — like a "rookie season" or a "rookie quarterback." The word's origin is a bit hazy, though it may come from the disparaging secondary meaning of rook, "a cheat," or more appropriately, "someone who's easily cheated."
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.
“This guy was the No. 1 pick in the draft, Rookie of the Year,” Sterling said, “and he’s making a PowerPoint.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
Although he was elected IndyCar’s Rookie of the Year in 2019, his progress in the sport had been slow.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026
The 6-foot-5, 243-pound edge rusher finished third for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 10.5 sacks.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026
Rookie Cooper Flagg and Max Christie added 21 points apiece for the Mavericks, who withstood a 38-point performance from Warriors star Stephen Curry including eight three-pointers.
From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026
“It’s time for Rookie Royale! Two rookies will battle it out for the first time in the Ring.”
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
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.
