novice

American  

[nov-is] / ˈnɒv ɪs /

noun

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

• novicehood noun
• novicelike adjective

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

Example Sentences

After years of working in his garden, the former novice has figured out what grows well in his yard’s different spots.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

The bespectacled middleman started at Dubai-based commodities firm Coral Energy as a novice trader in 2014.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

But Aziz is not a novice in the media business.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Mills and Gillman, who have spent most of their career working with young novice skaters, said Carrillo, 26, needed time to warm to his new coaches and environment, a process that took nearly 18 months.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2026

But using her hands as planes, Lilya was able to describe the maneuvering of their aerial dogfight blow by blow, and the German pilot had to admit that this novice fighter had defeated him.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

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