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 Word Forms

• greenhornism 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

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

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

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

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Jenkins isn’t some greenhorn fresh to the world of money and crime.

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

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