freshman

fresh-man · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A student in the first year of high school or university.

  2. 2.

    A person who is new to a job, organization, or activity.

Forms

plural: freshmen

Phrases & expressions

  • freshman year — the first year of high school or college
  • freshman fifteen — weight gain commonly experienced by first-year college students

Related words

Etymology

Compound of fresh (new) + man, dating from the mid-16th century. Originally referred to a newcomer or novice, later specifically to first-year students.