newcomer
Americannoun
-
newcomers
plural
noun
Usage
What does newcomer mean? A newcomer is a person who has recently arrived at a location or a person or thing that has recently joined a new environment, such as an occupation, workplace, field, or organization. A person who’s just moved to a new city could be described as a newcomer. The term could also be used to refer to a new player on a team, a new student at school, a new employee at work, or a nation that has just joined an international organization. A company that has just been established could be described as a newcomer in its industry or sector. Example: It’s the kind of gym where longtime members take bets on how long newcomers will last.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of newcomer
Explanation
When you show up at your first meeting of the local swim club and you're the only one who didn't bring a towel, it may be because you're a newcomer, or someone who's new at participating in a particular group. When you're a newcomer, you're an outsider just joining an activity or group. There are a lot of great words that have the same meaning as newcomer, like neophyte, rookie, and Johnny-come-lately. One popular slang term for newcomer is newbie, which is often shortened on the Internet to noob.
Vocabulary lists containing newcomer
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
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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:
The newcomer was KD1, a 4½-year-old eagle who has since become a repeat visitor to the aerie that’s livestreamed around the clock, earning its inhabitants worldwide internet fame.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
CXMT, as a relative newcomer, "remains in a follower position regarding leading-edge technologies", James Zhao, senior principal analyst at Omdia, told AFP.
From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026
The presence of so many stalwarts largely squeezes out fresh talent, but the mysterious Irish newcomer Dove Ellis stands out as a potential winner, for the otherworldly beauty of his debut album, Blizzard.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
Bryan Henderson, 38, is likewise fascinated by the newcomer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
“Some fine lady, a newcomer to the court,” he said, following the red-clad Cristiana with his eyes.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
San Francisco, in contrast, is seeing the gap narrow as the massive influx of investment and newcomers tied to the artificial intelligence boom has been ratcheting up rents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
John Stewart’s legend fared better in the animated “Justice League” and “Justice League Unlimited” series, which established him as a favorite among newcomers to the franchise.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
The city tries to keep its idiosyncratic businesses going while prospecting for newcomers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
Only troubled Aston Martin and newcomers Cadillac have been slower - and Aston Martin's Hungary upgrade seems to have left Williams as the 10th best team.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
When they returned downstairs, even more guests had arrived, and Lexie reluctantly relinquished Mirabelle to the newcomers.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
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.
