Word
fresher
Phoneticsfresh·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɹɛʃɝ/
UK/fɹˈɛʃɐ/
Definitions
01university student
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English · Informal
n. a student who has just started their first year at a university.
n. a first-year undergraduate student at a university or college.
“The campus was full of excited freshers carrying maps and looking for their classrooms.”
“During the first week of term, the student union organises various events to help freshers integrate into the university community.”
Usage
Commonly used in the plural to refer to the new intake of students.
Teaching tip
While 'freshman' is the standard term in American English, 'fresher' is the dominant informal term in the UK, Ireland, and Australasia.
02new graduate
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Dialect
n. a person who has recently finished university and is looking for their first job.
n. a recent graduate who is a newcomer to the professional job market.
“The company is hiring ten freshers for its new junior developer programme.”
“As a fresher in the competitive tech industry, she spent her evenings refining her portfolio to attract potential recruiters.”
Usage
Primarily used in Indian English in professional and recruitment contexts.
Teaching tip
This sense is specific to Indian English; in other regions, 'recent graduate' or 'entry-level candidate' is preferred.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Heatwave conditions continue on Friday in south-east England but it is turning fresher for all into the weekend.” “Extra rainfall and meltwater from ice make the ocean fresher.” Etymology
From fresh + -er (comparative suffix).
From a clipping of freshman + -er (Oxford -er).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/fresher