# freshmen

/ˈfɹɛʃmɪn/ (US) · /fɹˈɛʃmɛn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/freshmen
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

students who are in their first year of high school or university. You use this word to talk about the newest group of people at a school.

For teachers: students in their first year of study at a secondary school or higher education institution. Plural form of 'freshman'; primarily used in North American English.

## Examples

- The freshmen are all attending the orientation today.
- Every September, the campus fills with nervous freshmen trying to find their way to their first lectures.
- The university provides specialized housing for freshmen to help them integrate into the academic community and build social connections during their first year away from home.

## Usage notes

- Plural form of 'freshman'. In North American contexts, it is often used as a collective noun for the entire first-year class.

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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.