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.
See Examples For:
I’d appreciate an explanation that a beginner like me can understand.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
In New York’s Catskills, the cradle of American dry fly fishing, a total beginner learns the sport—and its history.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
Mehr Anand, a 21-year-old rising senior at Northeastern University in Boston, used to be annoyed that professors prohibited him from using AI in his beginner classes.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026
Spades can be extremely intimidating to start as a beginner playing with pros.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 23, 2026
“I was in beginner band, sixth grade, playing for a crowd of legendary grandparents. I sounded horrible. They gave me pity claps.”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
For most beginners, taking these few, easy steps can have a significant impact on strengthening your long-term creditworthiness — not to mention building your financial confidence.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 17, 2026
Although these movements can sometimes lead to mild soreness, especially for beginners, discomfort is not required to see progress.
From Science Daily ● May 1, 2026
Its interface is clean and minimal, designed for both beginners and advanced users.
From Salon ● Mar. 21, 2026
"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 ● Mar. 10, 2026
At the opposite end of the kitchen Mercy, having generously alloted to Kit the primer readers, was laboring with the beginners.
From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare
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.
