beginner

/biˈgɪnər/

/bɪˈgɪnə/

Other forms: beginners

A beginner is someone who's brand new at something. In swimming lessons, a beginner practices putting her face in the water and blowing bubbles.

If you're a beginner, you're a novice or an amateur — in other words, you're still learning. When you're learning to drive, you're a beginner and probably need the help of an instructor while you drive carefully around your neighborhood. A beginner at speaking French might be able to say a few phrases and know some basic vocabulary words. The earliest meaning of beginner, from the 14th century, was "founder," or "person who establishes an institution."

Definitions of beginner

1. noun

   someone new to a field or activity
   synonyms: initiate, novice, tiro, tyro

   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

   a person who founds or establishes some institution
   synonyms: father, founder, founding father

   types:

   cofounder

   one of a group of founders

   coloniser, colonizer

   someone who helps to found a colony

   foundress

   a woman founder

   type of:

   conceiver, mastermind, originator

   someone who creates new things