Word Finder
What's the word for a person who is new and inexperienced at something?
The word you're looking for
A novice is a person who is new to an activity or subject and has little experience. It fits your idea exactly and is the most common neutral word.
Other words that fit
Use this in very everyday speech when you want a simpler, more common word.
Use this when the person is new to a group, place, or field.
Use this in informal speech, especially for jobs, sports, or games.
Use this for someone learning a trade or skill through training.
Why this word
The best word for a person who is new and inexperienced at something is usually novice. It means someone has little practice or knowledge in that area. In everyday English, beginner is also very common and simpler. Choose rookie for informal situations, and apprentice when there is formal training involved.
In context
- She is a novice at coding.
- The class is for complete beginners.
- He felt like a rookie on his first day.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is novice more formal than beginner?
- Yes. Novice sounds a little more formal, while beginner is more common in daily speech.
- Can I use rookie for any beginner?
- Not always. Rookie is informal and works best for sports, jobs, or games.
- What word means a person new to a group?
- Newcomer is better when someone is new to a place, team, or community.