Definitions
01a learner
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. someone who is just starting to learn a skill or hobby.
n. a person who has just begun to learn a skill or participate in an activity; a novice.
“The yoga class is perfect for a beginner because the teacher explains every move slowly.”
“Even a complete beginner can produce a functional piece of pottery during the introductory weekend workshop provided they follow the basic safety protocols.”
Antonyms
02theatre
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Theater Technical
n. an actor who needs to be on stage at the very start of a play or a scene.
n. an actor who is present on stage at the commencement of a performance or act.
“The stage manager called 'beginners to the stage' five minutes before the curtain went up.”
“The director spent the final dress rehearsal ensuring that the beginners were correctly positioned behind the curtain to avoid any shadows being cast.”
Usage
Often used in the plural 'beginners' as a call from the stage manager.
Teaching tip
This is a highly specialised term; outside of a theatre, 'beginner' always refers to a novice.
Etymology
From Middle English begynner, equivalent to begin + -er. Cognate with West Frisian begjinner (“beginner”), Dutch beginner (“beginner”), Low German begünner (“beginner”), Danish nybegynder (“beginner, novice”, literally “new-beginner”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/beginner
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0