tyro

American  

[tahy-roh] / ˈtaɪ roʊ /

Or tiro

noun

plural

tyros

1. a beginner in learning anything; novice.

   Synonyms:

   learner, neophyte

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tyro British  

/ taɪˈrɒnɪk, ˈtaɪrəʊ /

noun

1. a novice or beginner

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Other Word Forms

• tyronic adjective

Etymology

Origin of tyro

First recorded in 1605–15, tyro is from the Latin word tīrō “recruit”

Explanation

A tyro is a beginner, a new recruit, or someone who is just learning something. If you are the new guy at the job and you're wearing a big badge that says "Trainee" on it, you are a tyro. Tyro isn't used much these days but it's similar to newbie, novice, or recruit. We have all been tyros at some point. Tyro can also be used as an adjective to describe someone new to a particular scene — such as "the tyro congressman" or "the tyro quarterback."

Example Sentences

Despite it being England captain Maro Itoje's 100th cap, many headlines have been around the inclusion of the 21-year-old tyro, who played for the British and Irish Lions last year after an extraordinary breakthrough season.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Previous Lincoln scholars have treated the Lyceum Speech more as an outburst than an oration, at best the overwrought declamation of a gifted tyro.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 7, 2025

I didn’t see that coming — not that a mystery tyro like me ever sees anything coming on this show.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2023

Grammar and pronunciation Telltale tyro signs include adding definite articles to freeway names.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 30, 2023

“Tyro to ground, tyro to ground,” came the call from the training aircraft.

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein