Freshman - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A freshman is a first-year student in high school, college, or university. The term is commonly used in educational contexts to denote someone new to an institution or level of study.
Definition:
A first-year student at a university, college, or high school.
Synonyms:
newcomer, novice, frosh, first-year student
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
senior, graduate
Common Collocations:
freshman year, freshman class, freshman orientation
Derivatives:
freshmen (plural), freshmanly (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "freshman" for male or mixed groups; "freshwoman" is rare but used for females in some contexts.
Common Phrases:
freshman fifteen, wet behind the ears, greenhorn
Etymology:
Originates from "fresh" (new) + "man," first recorded in the 16th century for newcomers to institutions.
Examples:
- 1. The freshman moved into the dorm last week.
- 2. She joined the freshman class this fall.
- 3. He felt nervous during his freshman orientation.
- 4. The team welcomed three new freshmen this season.