welcome
Americaninterjection
noun
verb (used with object)
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to greet the arrival of (a person, guests, etc.) with pleasure or kindly courtesy.
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to receive or accept with pleasure; regard as pleasant or good.
to welcome a change.
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to meet, accept, or receive (an action, challenge, person, etc.) in a specified, especially unfriendly, manner.
They welcomed him with hisses and catcalls.
adjective
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gladly received, as one whose arrival gives pleasure.
a welcome visitor.
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agreeable, as something arriving, occurring, or experienced.
a welcome rest.
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given full right by the cordial consent of others.
She is welcome to try it.
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without obligation for the courtesy, favor, or service received (used as a conventional response to expressions of thanks): He thanked me, and I told him he was welcome.
You're quite welcome; I'm glad you like the gift.
He thanked me, and I told him he was welcome.
idioms
adjective
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gladly and cordially received or admitted
a welcome guest
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bringing pleasure or gratitude
a welcome gift
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freely permitted or invited
you are welcome to call
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under no obligation (only in such phrases as you're welcome or he's welcome , as conventional responses to thanks)
noun
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the act of greeting or receiving a person or thing; reception
the new theory had a cool welcome
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to come more often or stay longer than is acceptable or pleasing
verb
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to greet the arrival of (visitors, guests, etc) cordially or gladly
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to receive or accept, esp gladly
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of welcome
First recorded before 900; Middle English, from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse velkominn, equivalent to vel well 1 + kominn come (past participle); replacing Old English wilcuma “one who is welcome,” equivalent to wil- welcome ( see will 2) + cuma “comer”
Explanation
A welcome is a greeting that usually comes when you first arrive. Although you aren't fond of Aunt Martha, you always manage to give her a warm welcome when she comes to visit. When you accept someone into your home courteously, especially upon arrival, you welcome them. When you visit your grandparents, they welcome you with open arms and a plate of homemade cookies. They might even shout, "Welcome!" when you walk in the door. Welcome also means to gladly accept. The president of the French club will welcome your fundraising idea, especially if it involves baked goods.
Vocabulary lists containing welcome
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.
When asked how the party would deal with more scrutiny following this set of elections, Yusuf said: "We welcome scrutiny. But I would argue no party has had their record in local government more scrutinised."
From BBC • May 9, 2026
Try to determine how welcome you’d be living there.
From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026
The interest from big banks is welcome after bitcoin prices crashed from last year’s highs.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
There’s a welcome familiarity to Sally Field that emanates through the screen as you watch “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” a charmingly sweet adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt’s hit 2022 novel of the same name.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
I translate it to myself as I hear it: Goodbye, my Toledo, my beloved home, once I was welcome, now I am not, where I am going tomorrow is a mystery of our God.
From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
