rookie

American  

[rook-ee] / ˈrʊk i /

noun

1. an athlete playing their first season as a member of a professional sports team.

   The rookie replaced the injured regular at first base.

2. a raw recruit, as in the army or on a police force.

3. a novice; tyro.

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rookie British  

/ ˈrʊkɪ /

noun

1. informal an inexperienced person or newcomer, esp a raw recruit in the army

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Usage

What does Rookie of the Year mean? Rookie of the Year is an award given to an athlete judged most accomplished in the first season of their sport.

Etymology

Origin of rookie

1890–95; alteration of recruit; -y ²

Example Sentences

Josh Allen was NFL MVP, Jayden Daniels offensive rookie of the year; Aaron Rodgers didn’t return to the Jets, and the Chiefs didn’t win the Super Bowl.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Tucker’s tenure with the team came to an end this year, and the Ravens replaced him with Loop, a rookie out of Arizona who the team acquired with a sixth-round draft selection.

From The Wall Street Journal

Quarterback Lamar Jackson downplayed the impact, telling reporters, “He’s a rookie, you know. It’s all good. Just leave it in the past.”

From Los Angeles Times

After a disastrous rookie season, Williams—the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2024—exhibited astonishing progress over the course of the year to dethrone the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.

From The Wall Street Journal

Those concerns were amplified by his rookie year in the NFL, which was nothing short of disastrous.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• colt
• newcomer