rookie

noun

rook·​ie ˈru̇-kē How to pronounce rookie (audio)
Synonyms of rookienext
1
: recruit
also : novice
2
: a first-year participant in a major professional sport

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of rookie in a Sentence

There are three rookies in the starting lineup. an experienced policeman whose partner is a rookie
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sports apparel giant just dropped its 2025 rookie class lineup and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter will be taking his talents back to the brand, leading the charge of its twelve-player rookie roster. — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025 Landing in Cleveland would be a poor outcome for Sanders, as the team isn't currently built to uplift a rookie passer. — Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 After three years at UNC, Jordan was the third pick in the 1984 NBA Draft and was paid $555,000 by the Bulls during his rookie season. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2025 That’s a lot of pressure, but that’s the type of pressure that comes with being a rookie starting in the NBA playoffs. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rookie

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of recruit

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rookie was in 1868

Rhymes for rookie

See All Rhymes for rookie

Browse Nearby Words

rookery
rookie
rookus
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rookie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rookie. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

rookie

noun
rook·​ie ˈru̇k-ē How to pronounce rookie (audio)
: beginner, recruit
especially : a first-year player in a professional sport

More from Merriam-Webster on rookie

Nglish: Translation of rookie for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All