freshman

[ fresh-muh n ]

/ ˈfrɛʃ mən /

a student in the first year of the course at a university, college, or high school.

a novice; beginner.

of, relating to, or characteristic of a freshman: to outgrow one's freshman attitudes.

lacking seniority or experience; junior: a freshman senator.

required of or suitable for freshmen: freshman courses.

initial; first: This is my freshman year with the company.

Origin of freshman

First recorded in 1540–50; fresh + -man

See -man.

fresh·man·ship, noun pre·fresh·man, noun, plural pre·fresh·men. sub·fresh·man, noun, plural sub·fresh·men.

Veteran Republicans joined with freshmen Democrats like Congressman Patrick Murphy, the youngest member of the House.

Why China Hates This New D.C. Street Name |David Keyes |June 3, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Kadyrbayev, Tazhayakov, Phillipos, and Tsarnaev all started as freshmen in the fall of 2011.

With Friends Like Dzhokhar… |Lizzie Crocker, Eliza Shapiro |May 2, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The two freshmen had shared dormitory accommodations for only a few weeks and had experienced strained relations from the start.

Tyler Clementi, Dharun Ravi, and the Problem With Hate Crimes Laws |Michael Medved |March 20, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
On average, freshmen women gain just over three pounds, according to the new study that yielded this stat.

Will I Get Fat? 15 Signs You'll Gain Weight |Anneli Rufus |November 10, 2011 |DAILY BEAST

Not surprisingly, he also believes more than a few House Republican freshmen are vulnerable to defeat next November.

House Dems Seek 2012 Rematch |Patricia Murphy |November 5, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
The freshmen went to work at once to perfect their playing under the willing guidance of Professor Leonard.

Marjorie Dean, College Sophomore |Pauline Lester
Then Betty insisted that she must meet all of the freshmen and clapped her hands for order.

Betty Lee, Senior |Harriet Pyne Grove
They had both been Seniors when the present class were Freshmen.

Polly's Senior Year at Boarding School |Dorothy Whitehill
As a general thing they were discussing Merriwell, his position with the freshmen, and his pitching.

Frank Merriwell at Yale |Burt L. Standish
Hugh was too much excited to stay in a room; so with several other freshmen he traveled the campus.

The Plastic Age |Percy Marks