novice

UK: /ˈnɒvɪs/ US: /ˈnɑvɪs/ ,(nov′is)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

nov•ice /ˈnɑvɪs/   n. [countable]

1. a person who is new to the circumstances, work, etc., in which he or she is placed;
   beginner.
2. Religion a person admitted into a religious order for a period of testing before taking vows.

See -nov-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

nov•ice  (nov′is), n. 

1. a person who is new to the circumstances, work, etc., in which he or she is placed;
   beginner;
   tyro:
   a novice in politics.
2. Religion a person who has been received into a religious order or congregation for a period of probation before taking vows.
3. Religion a person newly become a church member.
4. Religion a recent convert to Christianity.

• Medieval Latin novītius convent novice, variant of Latin novīcius newly come into a particular status, derivative of novus new. See -itious
• Middle French novice
• Middle English novyce 1300–50

nov′ice•hood′, n. 
nov′ice•like′, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. newcomer.
• 1, 2. neophyte.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

novice / ˈnɒvɪs/ noun

1. a person who is new to or inexperienced in a certain task, situation, etc; beginner; tyro
2. (as modifier): novice driver
3. a probationer in a religious order
4. a racehorse, esp a steeplechaser or hurdler, that has not won a specified number of races

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Latin novīcius, from novus new