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novice

/ˈnɑvəs/
/ˈnɒvɪs/
IPA guide

Other forms: novices

If you're a novice at snowboarding, you're just learning the sport. On the Internet, a novice might be called a newbie, but your parents would call one a beginner.

Novice is derived from the Latin word novus, which means new. A novice is new to what they do, so a novice photographer is just learning how to take nice pictures. Other words related to novice are novel "new, unusual," and innovate "to invent, begin with new ideas." Novice can also mean a member of a Christian order who has not yet taken their vows.

Definitions of novice
  1. noun
    someone new to a field or activity
    synonyms: beginner, initiate, tiro, tyro
    see moresee less
    types:
    abecedarian
    a novice learning the rudiments of some subject
    apprentice, intern, learner, prentice
    someone who works for an expert to learn a trade
    cub, greenhorn, rookie
    an awkward and inexperienced youth
    landlubber, landsman, lubber
    an inexperienced sailor; a sailor on the first voyage
    entrant, fledgeling, fledgling, freshman, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, starter
    a participant with no experience with an activity
    tenderfoot
    an inexperienced person (especially someone inexperienced in outdoor living)
    trainee
    someone who is being trained
    cadet, plebe
    a military trainee (as at a military academy)
    printer's devil
    an apprentice in a printing establishment
    enlistee, recruit
    any new member or supporter (as in the armed forces)
    type of:
    unskilled person
    a person who lacks technical training
  2. noun
    someone who has entered a religious order but has not taken final vows
    synonyms: novitiate
    see moresee less
    type of:
    religious person
    a person who manifests devotion to a deity
Pronunciation
US
/ˈnɑvəs/
UK
/ˈnɒvɪs/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘novice'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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