freshman

noun

fresh·​man ˈfresh-mən How to pronounce freshman (audio)
Synonyms of freshmannext
often attributive
1
: a student in the first year of high school or college
2
: beginner, newcomer
especially : a person who is starting a job or activity
freshman lawmakers

Synonyms of freshman

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Examples of freshman in a Sentence

My daughter's a freshman at UCLA. He was the best freshman in professional basketball this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Harris was a backup at Crete-Monee as a freshman and then emerged as an all-conference defensive lineman the following season. — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 Five-star Michigan basketball freshman Brandon McCoy suffered a potentially serious knee injury during an exhibition game in Montenegro. — Christian Romo, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 In the next few weeks, hundreds of thousands of freshmen, many of them arriving without any family history of college at all, will decide whether to walk into a fraternity event or skip it. — Todd Buchanan, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Somourian Wingo has been the most tantalizing of the freshmen receivers and might have the highest ceiling of the four. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for freshman

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of freshman was in 1557

Phrases Containing freshman

Rhymes for freshman

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Browse Nearby Words

freshly
freshman
freshman composition
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Cite this Entry

“Freshman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freshman. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

freshman

noun
fresh·​man ˈfresh-mən How to pronounce freshman (audio)
1
: beginner, newcomer
2
: a student in the first year (as of high school or college)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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