freshman

American

[fresh-muhn] / ˈfrɛʃ mən /

noun

plural

freshmen

a student in the first year of the course at a university, college, or high school.
a novice; beginner.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a freshman.

to outgrow one's freshman attitudes.
lacking seniority or experience; junior.

a freshman senator.
required of or suitable for freshmen.

freshman courses.
initial; first.

This is my freshman year with the company.

Gender

See -man.

Other Word Forms

freshmanship noun
prefreshman noun
subfreshman noun

Etymology

Origin of freshman

First recorded in 1540–50; fresh + -man

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.

Castellano and his co-founder, Nebiyu Demie, who met working campus jobs as freshman computer science students, moved out of the dorms and straight into an apartment complex owned by their investors, Cambridge-based Link Ventures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

There is less incentive to fight for an A in a notoriously rigorous course, says freshman Kay Hwang, when students can just take an easier alternative.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

As a freshman he played on the freshman team.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

JSerra 2, Servite 1: An RBI double by Ayden Coleman and RBI single from freshman Joey Koenig lifted the Lions to the Trinity League win.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

I stand five feet, five inches tall, a little shorter than freshman year.

From "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023