greenhorn

[ green-hawrn ]

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.

greenhorn

/ ˈɡriːnˌhɔːn /

noun

1. an inexperienced person, esp one who is extremely gullible
2. a newcomer or immigrant

Other Words From

• greenhornism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of greenhorn¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of greenhorn¹

C17: originally an animal with green (that is, young) horns

Example Sentences

This may well be the founding principle of environmentalism, dating back to Theodore Roosevelt’s hunting expeditions and John Muir’s establishing of the Sierra Club with its excursions for greenhorns.

From Outside Online

We’d just completed our training on the principles of Leave No Trace and would soon be guiding across these waters our own rafts of greenhorns, who would invariably ask what to do with their own banana peels.

From Outside Online

For the non-greenhorn, though, there is fun to be had in the smattering of fearless, at times audacious, assertions.

From The Daily Beast

Of course it was a pretty greenhorn trick, but I guess no harm will come of it.

From Project Gutenberg

I'll learn you to leave junk in my way, you greenhorn squirt!

From Project Gutenberg

The Greek mill-hand sells the greenhorn a job, and takes his chances on the foreman giving the man work.

From Project Gutenberg

She, on her side, perceiving what a greenhorn she had to deal with, made up her shrewd little mind to set her cap for me.

From Project Gutenberg

An old trapper who has a couple of traps and lots of experience will catch more fur than the greenhorn with a complete outfit.

From Project Gutenberg