Word
Definitions
01first-year student
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun American English
n. a student in their first year of high school or college.
n. a student in the first year of study at a high school, college, or university.
“As a freshman, she felt a bit lost on the large university campus.”
“The university orientation programme is specifically designed to help every incoming freshman navigate the transition from high school to academic life.”
Usage
In British English, 'fresher' is the standard term for a first-year university student.
Teaching tip
While 'freshman' is the traditional term, some US institutions now use 'first-year student' to be more gender-neutral.
Synonyms
02new politician
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law American English · Formal
n. someone who has just been elected to a government group for the first time.
n. a newly elected member of a legislative body, such as the US Congress, serving their first term.
“The freshman senator promised to focus on improving local schools.”
“The freshman representative spent her first few months in the capital building alliances with more experienced members of the committee.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier before the title, such as 'freshman congressman'.
03a beginner
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Literary
n. a person who is new to a subject or activity.
n. a novice or beginner who is just starting to learn the basics of a field.
“He was a freshman in the world of professional photography.”
“Though an expert in biology, he felt like a total freshman when he first attempted to learn computer programming.”
Teaching tip
This sense is rare in modern speech; learners should use 'beginner' or 'novice' instead.
Etymology
From fresh + man.
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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/freshman
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0