# beginner

/bɪˈɡɪnɝ/ (US) · /bɪɡˈɪnɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/beginner
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a learner

noun · CEFR A2

someone who is just starting to learn a skill or hobby.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. theatre

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

an actor who needs to be on stage at the very start of a play or a scene.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She is a beginner at playing the piano.
- The yoga class is designed for beginners who have never practiced before.
- Even seasoned professionals remember their days as beginners, when every small mistake felt like a major failure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.