tyro

American  

[tahy-roh] / ˈtaɪ roʊ /

Or tiro

noun

tyros plural

1. a beginner in learning anything; novice.

   Synonyms:

   learner, neophyte

---

tyro British  

/ taɪˈrɒnɪk, ˈtaɪrəʊ /

noun

1. a novice or beginner

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• tyronic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tyros
  plural

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

See Examples For:

tyro tyros

I found myself laughing out loud at McIntyre’s story of standing up the Baroness Philippine de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild for lunch, a self-deprecating recollection of life as a tyro wine writer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025

He's there and his battle with the brilliant tyro Fin Smith for Test starts will be exhilarating.

From BBC ● May 8, 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

Melissa Almaguer, like many talented tyros, sometimes throws down too much at once, but she has the goods.

From New York Times ● Jul. 27, 2022

France’s tyros – most of the team are playing their first Six Nations – showed poise in the biggest moments against the most experienced side ever fielded in the championship.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 22, 2020

U.S. forces then withdrew, according to Kurdish fighters involved in the battle, leaving an armored Toyota Landcruiser by the side of the road, its tyros flat.

From Reuters ● May 5, 2016

Much of this is forced on Van Gaal by injuries – and, yes, this team of tyros was outplayed by Bournemouth.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 14, 2015

Those of his successors in each branch of natural philosophy with whom I was acquainted appeared even to my boy’s apprehensions as tyros engaged in the same pursuit.

From "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley