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Glite Dictionary
greenhorn

greenhorn

7 7.4
A person who is new to an activity and has little experience
  • noun
  • /ˈɡriːnˌhɔrn/
  • Informal
translation icon : novato
  • As a greenhorn in the kitchen, he struggled with even the simplest recipes.

Now, Greenhorn, and I'll tell you why.

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Examples

  • And so, the greenhorns find themselves poor once more.

    Academic text (2010)

  • The relatives call her a greenhorn.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Where the hell did they find you, greenhorn?

    Man of Steel (2013)

  • Did she say she was a greenhorn?

    Fiction book (2001)

  • - I'm a greenhorn in this town.

    North to Alaska (1960)

  • Any more advice to give this greenhorn teacher in her 18th year of teaching?

    Blog text (21)

  • You sorry you're stuck with a greenhorn?

    Ruby Gentry (1952)

  • He's still a greenhorn as far as publishing goes, though I admit he is a fast learner.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Welcome, greenhorns!

    An American Tail (1986)

  • My dear, you're just a greenhorn pitting yourself against a seasoned campaigner.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

rookie
vsgreenhorn
  • Informal
276 3.7

A person new to a job or activity who has little experience

is often young and awkward rather than only inexperienced
cub
vsgreenhorn
  • Archaic
18 5.5

A young person who is new to a job

is broader, applying to novices of any age or background
tenderfoot
vsgreenhorn
  • Slang
4 9.1

A person who is new to camping or hiking

is used more generally for youth awkwardness, not only outdoors
greenie
vsgreenhorn
  • UK
1 8.2

A person new to a job or activity with little experience

is more about youth and awkwardness, not only being new
greeny
vsgreenhorn
  • Slang
8.6

A person who is new and has little experience in a job or activity

is used more for awkward young people beyond job newcomers

Antonyms

veteran
153 4.1

Having long experience and skill in a job or activity

expert
3 3.5

Very skilled and knowing a lot about a particular area

How Experienced

expert
∞ 3.2
veteran
153 4.1
professional
401 3.7
greenhorn
  • Informal
7 7.4
beginner
81 1.0

Surface Forms

greenhorn singular
greenhorns plural

Morphology

greenhorn = green + horn (transparent) = green + horn

The compound combines 'green' (inexperienced) with 'horn' to denote a novice; the meaning is directly recoverable from the components for typical learners.

Etymology

Greenhorn comes from the two parts green meaning 'new' or 'fresh' and horn meaning 'the horn of a young animal'. Think of a young animal with new, soft horns — someone not yet grown, which is why a greenhorn means a beginner or an inexperienced person.