# freshman

/ˈfɹɛʃmən/ (US) · /fɹˈɛʃmən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. newcomer to a group

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

someone who has just started a new job, especially in politics or a large organization.

For teachers: a person newly elected or appointed to a legislative body or professional organization.

- The freshman senator was nervous about giving her first speech in front of the committee.
- The party leadership assigned the freshman representatives to minor committees to allow them time to learn the complex procedural rules of the house.

### 3. a beginner

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a person who is new to a subject or activity and has no experience yet.

For teachers: a novice or beginner in a particular field of knowledge or activity.

- In the old book, the author describes himself as a freshman in the art of gardening.
- The text refers to the apprentice as a mere freshman in the rudiments of alchemy, requiring years of study before attempting a transmutation.

## Examples

- The freshman is looking for his first classroom.
- Every freshman must attend the orientation meeting to learn about the campus facilities and academic requirements.
- While the transition from high school can be daunting, most universities offer dedicated support systems to help each freshman integrate into the academic community.

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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.