noun
freshman
FREHSH-muhn
noun
1
A student in their first year at a high school, college, or university.
"As a freshman, she was still finding her way around campus."
2
Someone new and inexperienced in any field.
"He was a freshman senator with big ambitions."
How to Use Freshman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA first-year student, or more broadly, anyone new to a role or institution.
UK vs US
Mainly American English; British English tends to use "fresher" for first-year university students.
Common pairings
freshman year
freshman class
Word Forms
freshmen plural
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As a _____, she was still finding her way around campus.
Etymology
A compound of fresh and man, originally referring to a newcomer.