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rookie

American  
[rook-ee] / ˈrʊk i /

noun

  1. an athlete playing their first season as a member of a professional sports team.

    The rookie replaced the injured regular at first base.

  2. a raw recruit, as in the army or on a police force.

  3. a novice; tyro.

rookie British  
/ ˈrʊkɪ /

noun

  1. informal an inexperienced person or newcomer, esp a raw recruit in the army

"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

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

1890–95; alteration of recruit; -y 2

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.

Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage threw them about a third of the time when he struck out 12 batters in Game 5.

From The Wall Street Journal

Cherundolo won a Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in his rookie season, made the MLS Cup and Champions League finals in his second year and won the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Arizona’s rookie Wildcats have produced over half of Arizona’s points and 41% of their rebounds this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

The team's reserve driver Jak Crawford will be driving the car in one of the team's mandated rookie sessions this year.

From BBC

First baseman Nick Kurtz ran away with AL rookie of the year honors, winning the award unanimously, with shortstop Jacob Wilson placing second.

From Los Angeles Times

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.