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neophyte

noun
neo·​phyte | \ ˈnē-ə-ˌfīt How to pronounce neophyte (audio) \

Definition of neophyte

1 : a new convert : proselyte
2 : novice sense 1
3 : tyro, beginner a neophyte when it comes to computers neophytes fresh from graduate schools of business
Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about neophyte

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Synonyms for neophyte

Synonyms

convert, proselyte

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Did You Know?

Neophyte is hardly a new addition to the English language (it's been part of the English vocabulary since the 1300s), but it wasn't in general use before the 19th century. When it was used in a 16th-century translation of the Bible, some folks derided it as pretentious and Latinate. One critic lumped it with other "ridiculous inkhorn terms" and another went as far as to write, "Neophyte, to a bare Englishman is nothing at all." The criticisms of "neophyte" weren't entirely justified, given the word's long history in English, but it is true that "neophyte" has classical roots. It traces back through Late Latin to the Greek neophytes, meaning "newly planted or "newly converted."

Examples of neophyte in a Sentence

neophytes are assigned an experienced church member to guide them through their first year

Recent Examples on the Web

 Son of the owners of a small department store in County Tipperary, Ireland, Mr. Babington expressed the same amazement a neophyte to the horse world might feel that one of humankind’s oldest pursuits has evolved into one of its costliest. — New York Times, "Where to Show Off Your $5 Million Horse," 31 Aug. 2019 Before arriving for the show, which connects classical music to today’s pop culture for opera lovers and neophytes, Gilda answered our five questions. — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, "Gilda Wabbit: Drag-queen opera singer to light up Parliament House | 5 Questions With ...," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'neophyte.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of neophyte

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for neophyte

Middle English neophite, borrowed from Late Latin neophytus, borrowed from Greek neóphytos "newly planted" (in New Testament and patristic Greek, "newly converted, new convert"), from neo- neo- + -phytos, verbal adjective of phýein "to bring forth, produce" — more at be

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More Definitions for neophyte

neophyte

noun
How to pronounce neophyte (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of neophyte

formal
: a person who has just started learning or doing something
: a person who has recently joined a religious group

See the full definition for neophyte in the English Language Learners Dictionary

neophyte

noun
neo·​phyte | \ ˈnē-ə-ˌfīt How to pronounce neophyte (audio) \

Kids Definition of neophyte

1 : beginner, novice
2 : a new convert

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More from Merriam-Webster on neophyte

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with neophyte

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for neophyte

Spanish Central: Translation of neophyte

Nglish: Translation of neophyte for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neophyte

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