newcomer

English

Alternative forms

• new-comer, new comer

Etymology

From Middle English newe-comere, equivalent to new- +‎ comer. Compare Old English nīwcumen (“new comer, neophyte, novice”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: nyo͞oʹkŭmər, IPA^(key): /ˈnjuːkʌmə/
• (US) enPR: n(y)o͞oʹkŭ'mər, IPA^(key): /ˈn(j)uˌkʌmɚ/,
• Rhymes: -uːkʌmə(ɹ), -ʌmə(ɹ)

Noun

newcomer (plural newcomers)

1. One who has recently come to a community; a recent arrival.
   • 1791, John Walker, A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary ‎, London: Sold by G. G. J. and J. Robinſon, Paternoſter Row; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, →OCLC, page 550:

     Welcome, we²l'ku²m. a.
     Received with gladneſs, admitted willingly, grateful […]
     Welcome, we²l'ku²m. interj.
     A form of ſalutation uſed to a new comer.

   • 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:

     This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking. In complexion fair, and with blue or gray eyes, he was tall as any Viking, as broad in the shoulder.

   • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:

     As soon as Julia returned with a constable, Timothy, who was on the point of exhaustion, prepared to give over to him gratefully. The newcomer turned out to be a powerful youngster, fully trained and eager to help, and he stripped off his tunic at once.

2. A new participant in some activity; a neophyte.

Synonyms

• (recent arrival): comeling, newling, offcomer; see also Thesaurus:newcomer
• (a new participant): newbie, noob, n00b (Internet slang); see also Thesaurus:beginner

Related terms

• newcoming

Descendants

• → German: Newcomer

Translations