greenhorn

American  

[green-hawrn] / ˈgrinˌhɔrn /

noun

1. an untrained or inexperienced person.

2. a naive or gullible person; someone who is easily tricked or swindled.

3. Slang. a newly arrived immigrant; newcomer.

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greenhorn British  

/ ˈɡriːnˌhɔːn /

noun

1. an inexperienced person, esp one who is extremely gullible

2. a newcomer or immigrant

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Other Word Forms

• greenhornism noun

Etymology

Origin of greenhorn

1425–75; late Middle English; green, horn; originally applied to cattle with green (i.e., young) horns

Example Sentences

They include seasoned politicians, an activist, greenhorn or two and others.

From Los Angeles Times

Karla: Gather round, greenhorns, and let me tell you a story from the late 1900s.

From Washington Post

So to Ellis last August went a greenhorn trainer, Hamilton, then 28.

From Washington Post

By the time Jacob turned 2, Tony had put a ball in his son’s hands and was watching his greenhorn grow.

From New York Times

She spoke of that hard line in sports, the one between being a 21-year-old greenhorn flitting around all carefree without the expectations and a 26-year-old veteran flying around with the expectations.

From Washington Post