noun
rookie
RUU-kee
noun
1
Someone new to a job, sport, or team; a first-year professional or a novice.
"The rookie quarterback threw three touchdowns in his first start."
"As a rookie officer, she was paired with an experienced partner."
adj
1
Inexperienced or new to a role.
"It was a rookie mistake to forget the safety check."
How to Use Rookie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone in their first year at a job or sport, still learning the ropes.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
rookie mistake
rookie season
rookie of the year
Word Forms
rookier comparative, rookied past tense, rookies plural, rookies singular, rookiest superlative
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The _____ quarterback threw three touchdowns in his first start.
Etymology
Likely an alteration of "recruit," possibly influenced by "rook" in the sense of an easy target for a con.