welcome
WEHL-kuhm
Welcome (adj) means Received with pleasure; wanted or appreciated. Example: “After a noisy week, the quiet of the countryside was a welcome change.”
adj
1
Received with pleasure; wanted or appreciated.
"After a noisy week, the quiet of the countryside was a welcome change."
"Your feedback is always welcome."
"After the long hike, a hot shower was very welcome."
verb
1
To greet someone warmly on their arrival, or to accept something gladly.
"The school welcomes new parents with tea and a short tour each autumn."
"The whole family came out to welcome us at the airport."
"She welcomed the news with a huge smile."
noun
1
A greeting or reception given to someone arriving.
"The hotel staff gave us a warm welcome and carried our bags upstairs."
"A big banner above the door offered a cheerful welcome to every visitor."
"They gave the returning soldiers a hero's welcome."
How to use welcome
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWanted, or the act of greeting someone gladly.
Common mistake
"You're welcome" (a reply to thanks) is often confused in spelling with "your welcome" — "your" is the possessive; "you're" means "you are."
Common pairings
welcome someone with open arms
a warm welcome
outstay your welcome
welcome news
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Word forms
- Plural
- welcomes
- Third person singular
- welcomes
- Past tense
- welcomed
- Comparative
- welcomer
- Superlative
- welcomest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After a noisy week, the quiet of the countryside was a _____ change.
Etymology
From Old English wilcuma, literally "a person whose coming is wished for," combining will (desire) and come. The "wil-" was later reshaped into "wel-," influenced by the word "well," once people stopped connecting it to "will."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for welcome
See all rhymes for welcome →Frequently asked questions
What does “welcome” mean?
The word “welcome” means received with pleasure; wanted or appreciated. In plain terms, wanted, or the act of greeting someone gladly.
How do you pronounce “welcome”?
“Welcome” is pronounced WEHL-kuhm (/ˈwɛl.kəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “welcome” in a sentence?
Here is “welcome” used in a sentence: “Your feedback is always welcome.”
What part of speech is “welcome”?
Depending on how it is used, “welcome” can be an adjective, a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “welcome” come from?
The word “welcome” comes from Old English.
Is “welcome” a common word?
“Welcome” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “welcome” have?
“Welcome” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: received with pleasure; wanted or appreciated.
What is the difference between welcome and welcomed?
Welcome as an adjective describes something received with pleasure — 'a welcome break.' Welcomed is the past tense of the verb, describing the act of greeting — 'they welcomed us at the door.' A guest can be welcome (wanted) and also welcomed (greeted warmly), but the two forms are not interchangeable.
What does 'you're welcome' mean?
'You're welcome' is the standard polite reply to 'thank you.' It reassures the other person that the favor was given gladly and was no trouble, so they need not feel indebted. Here welcome keeps its core sense: you are freely permitted, and your thanks is happily received.
What is the opposite of welcome?
The opposite of a welcome adjective is unwelcome — not wanted, not appreciated, or received with displeasure. An unwelcome guest, an unwelcome surprise, or unwelcome news all arrive without being desired. Related opposites include unwanted, unpleasant, and, for people, uninvited or intrusive.
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