newcomer
noun
Words nearby newcomer
VOCAB BUILDER
What does newcomer mean?
A newcomer is a person who has recently arrived at a location or a person or thing that has recently joined a new environment, such as an occupation, workplace, field, or organization.
A person who’s just moved to a new city could be described as a newcomer. The term could also be used to refer to a new player on a team, a new student at school, a new employee at work, or a nation that has just joined an international organization. A company that has just been established could be described as a newcomer in its industry or sector.
Example: It’s the kind of gym where longtime members take bets on how long newcomers will last.
Where does newcomer come from?
The first records of newcomer come from the 1400s. It’s simply a combination of the adjective new and the noun comer, which is also used in the word latecomer (someone who arrives late) and in phrases like take on all comers (meaning “to take on anyone who shows up”).
Newcomer is typically applied to a person who has just arrived or is new on the scene. Though the term newcomer itself is typically used in a neutral way, newcomers often get labelled in other ways that make them stand out or imply a lack of experience. A student who’s a newcomer to a school might be called the new guy, the new girl, or the new kid. A new employee might be called a newbie. A newcomer to a club or hobby might be called a novice or a beginner. Be nice to newcomers. You’ve probably been one yourself at least once.
The word isn’t only applied to individuals. Groups, businesses, and even nations can be newcomers when joining a new organization, field, or some other environment. Even things and concepts can be described as newcomers, as in Despite its global impact, the Internet is still a relative newcomer in the history of technology.
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How is newcomer used in real life?
Newcomer is usually used in a relatively neutral way, whereas a word like newbie is sometimes used in a mildly negative way to point out someone’s inexperience.
I made some new friends today, not bad for a newcomer, not bad at all.
— Dinma (@Dinma_00) April 25, 2020
I used to use eBay to sell things personally more in the past. But for individuals, it can be tedious and not friendly to newcomers.
— erniichan (@erniichan) December 17, 2013
Major war between 2 tomcats in the yard next door. One-Ear, once the unconquerable terror of the neighborhood, is being ousted by a newcomer
— Dana Morales (@saturnloft) March 14, 2014
Try using newcomer!
Which of the following people could be described as a newcomer?
A. a senator who just took office
B. a math teacher in their first year of teaching
C. a veteran player who just joined a new team
D. all of the above