welcome

[wel-kuhm]

interjection

1. (a word of kindly greeting, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure).

   Welcome, stranger!

noun

1. a kindly greeting or reception, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure.

   to give someone a warm welcome.

verb (used with object)

welcomed, welcoming 

1. to greet the arrival of (a person, guests, etc.) with pleasure or kindly courtesy.

2. to receive or accept with pleasure; regard as pleasant or good.

   to welcome a change.

3. to meet, accept, or receive (an action, challenge, person, etc.) in a specified, especially unfriendly, manner.

   They welcomed him with hisses and catcalls.

adjective

1. gladly received, as one whose arrival gives pleasure.

   a welcome visitor.

2. agreeable, as something arriving, occurring, or experienced.

   a welcome rest.

3. given full right by the cordial consent of others.

   She is welcome to try it.

4. 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.

welcome

/ ˈwɛlkəm /

adjective

1. gladly and cordially received or admitted

   a welcome guest

2. bringing pleasure or gratitude

   a welcome gift

3. freely permitted or invited

   you are welcome to call

4. under no obligation (only in such phrases as you're welcome or he's welcome , as conventional responses to thanks)

1. an expression of cordial greeting, esp to a person whose arrival is desired or pleasing

noun

1. the act of greeting or receiving a person or thing; reception

   the new theory had a cool welcome

2. to come more often or stay longer than is acceptable or pleasing

verb

1. to greet the arrival of (visitors, guests, etc) cordially or gladly

2. to receive or accept, esp gladly

Other Word Forms

• welcomeness noun
• welcomer noun
• prewelcome noun
• unwelcome adjective
• unwelcomed adjective
• unwelcoming adjective
• welcomely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of welcome¹

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 ( will ² ) + cuma “comer”

Word History and Origins

Origin of welcome¹

C12: changed (through influence of _well ¹ ) from Old English wilcuma (agent noun referring to a welcome guest), wilcume (a greeting of welcome), from wil _will ² + cuman to _come

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. wear out one's welcome, to make one's visits so frequent or of such long duration that they become offensive.

   Your cousins have long since worn out their welcome.

see warm welcome; wear out one's welcome; you're welcome.

Example Sentences

Under the new policy, the United States would welcome 7,500 refugees in fiscal 2026, down from more than 100,000 a year under Democratic president Joe Biden.

Read more on Barron's

The president’s refusal to be cowed by threatening Russian nuclear behavior is welcome.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Friends of Brown said she welcomed the combination as a way to save the college.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

An area on the ground floor of the manor was being set up as a welcome center, gift shop, café and mini-theater.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that his country would introduce new proposals to welcome skilled foreign workers.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• appreciated 
• desirable 
• gratifying 
• pleasant 
• pleasing 
• refreshing 
• satisfying www.thesaurus.com