novice

American  

[nov-is] / ˈnɒv ɪs /

noun

• novices
  plural

1. 

   a person who is new to the circumstances, work, etc., in which they are placed; beginner; tyro.

   The new senator was a novice in politics.

   Synonyms:

   newcomer, neophyte, greenhorn, beginner

2. a person who has been received into a religious order or congregation for a period of probation before taking vows.

   Synonyms:

   neophyte

3. a person newly become a church member.

4. a recent convert to Christianity.

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novice British  

/ ˈnɒvɪs /

noun

1. 1. a person who is new to or inexperienced in a certain task, situation, etc; beginner; tyro

   2. ( as modifier )

      novice driver

2. a probationer in a religious order

3. a sportsman, esp an oarsman, who has not won a recognized prize, performed to an established level, etc

4. a racehorse, esp a steeplechaser or hurdler, that has not won a specified number of races

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• novicehood
  noun
• novicelike
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• novices
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of novice

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English novyce, from Middle French novice, from Medieval Latin novītius “convent novice,” variant of Latin novīcius “newly come into a particular status,” derivative of novus new. See -itious

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Explanation

If you're a novice at snowboarding, you're just learning the sport. On the Internet, a novice might be called a newbie, but your parents would call one a beginner. Novice is derived from the Latin word novus, which means new. A novice is new to what they do, so a novice photographer is just learning how to take nice pictures. Other words related to novice are novel "new, unusual," and innovate "to invent, begin with new ideas." Novice can also mean a member of a Christian order who has not yet taken their vows.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

novice novices

It takes immense skill for a great actor to convincingly play a novice performer.

From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026

I’m a novice, so I recruited a caviar-loving colleague to join me for an impromptu tasting session of five brands.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

It would be unfair not to credit Benn's in-ring evolution, going from a raw novice who used to take beatings in sparring to becoming one of British boxing's most recognisable fighters.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

The industrial mechanic and former union leader is a relative political novice, and says he's always refused to define himself along party lines.

From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026

I no longer cared that I was third out of three novice lace makers.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Record labels, music publishers and tech startups are already tangled in lawsuits over AI platforms that allow at-home novices to create songs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

They include novices straight out of education, laid-off construction workers and barbecue business owners seeking new inspiration.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

In turn, “You Must Be Here for the Reading” works for both those who are novices to the space as well as those who are more experienced.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

ETFs like these are easy for novices to work with and often have low fees.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 8, 2026

When her locks and curls were piled up around her feet, one of the novices soaped her head and the silent sister scraped away the stubble with a razor.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

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Related Words

• beginner
• learner
• neophyte
• newcomer
• pupil
• trainee

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