freshman

[ fresh-muhn ]

/ ˈfrɛʃ mən /

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See synonyms for freshman on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural fresh·men.

a student in the first year of the course at a university, college, or high school.

a novice; beginner.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a freshman: to outgrow one's freshman attitudes.

lacking seniority or experience; junior: a freshman senator.

required of or suitable for freshmen: freshman courses.

initial; first: This is my freshman year with the company.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of freshman

First recorded in 1540–50; fresh + -man

usage note for freshman

See -man.

OTHER WORDS FROM freshman

fresh·man·ship, nounpre·fresh·man, noun, plural pre·fresh·men.sub·fresh·man, noun, plural sub·fresh·men.

How to use freshman in a sentence

Donte Jefferson and Nia Jackson, freshmen at Louisiana State University, founded a Tumblr group called Black K-pop Fans in 2011.
Black K-Pop Fans Come Out of the Closet|Sterling Wong|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Veteran Republicans joined with freshmen Democrats like Congressman Patrick Murphy, the youngest member of the House.
Why China Hates This New D.C. Street Name|David Keyes|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Kadyrbayev, Tazhayakov, Phillipos, and Tsarnaev all started as freshmen in the fall of 2011.
With Friends Like Dzhokhar…|Lizzie Crocker, Eliza Shapiro|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The two freshmen had shared dormitory accommodations for only a few weeks and had experienced strained relations from the start.
Tyler Clementi, Dharun Ravi, and the Problem With Hate Crimes Laws|Michael Medved|March 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST

On average, freshmen women gain just over three pounds, according to the new study that yielded this stat.
Will I Get Fat? 15 Signs You'll Gain Weight|Anneli Rufus|November 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
They had expected, as freshmen, to be quite haughtily ignored by the seniors and juniors.
Ruth Fielding At College|Alice B. Emerson
"You will meet me in mathematics, young ladies," she said, shaking hands with the two introduced freshmen.
Ruth Fielding At College|Alice B. Emerson
But as the trio of freshmen went on toward Dare Hall, Ruth shook her head doubtfully.
Ruth Fielding At College|Alice B. Emerson
The three freshmen friends from Briarwood learned a good deal more that evening than the Year Book would ever have taught them.
Ruth Fielding At College|Alice B. Emerson
The Freshmen made a break from around the flag staff and ran toward the place where a much-needed supper awaited them.
Tom Fairfield's Schooldays|Allen Chapman