rookie

Pluralrookies

Formsrookier, rookiest

Formsrookies, rookying, rookied

1. 1
   nouncountable

   Someone who is new to an activity and has little experience yet.

   Like a new kid on the first day at a school.

   As a rookie, she asked many questions while learning the job.

   The team paired each rookie with an experienced worker.

   Similarbeginner, novice, newcomer, learner, newbie

   Oppositeveteran, expert

2. 2
   nouncountable

   A sports player who is new to a sport or team, or in their first year as a professional.

   Like a new student in their first year at a school.

   The rookie scored twice in his first professional game.

   Coaches expect a lot from this year's rookie.

   Similarnewcomer, debutant, freshman

   Oppositeveteran

3. 3
   nouncountable

   A new member of the police or military who has little experience yet.

   Like someone on their very first day at a new job.

   The rookie followed his sergeant closely during the first patrol.

   Every rookie at the academy trains for several months.

   Similarrecruit, trainee, cadet, probationer

   Oppositeveteran

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Done by amateurs rather than trained professionals.

   It was a rookie effort, but the crowd loved their energy.

   Their rookie setup looked homemade next to the pros' gear.

   Similaramateur, amateurish, inexperienced, novice

   Oppositeprofessional, polished

   Note
5. 5
   verbintransitive

   To spend your first, inexperienced stretch learning a job, team, or sport.

   Like learning to ride a bike before you can race.

   Everyone has to rookie somewhere before they get good.

   She rookied for a full season before becoming a regular.

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To play pranks on new members as part of a joining ritual.

   Like teasing the new kid on a team to welcome them.

   The older players love to rookie the new kids each fall.

   They rookied him with harmless pranks all week.

   Similarhaze, initiate

   Note
7. 7
   nounBritishcountable

   A firework that farmers set off to scare rooks away from their fields.

   Like a loud firework used to scare birds away.

   The farmer set off a rookie to chase the birds from his field.

   A loud rookie went off near the hedgerow at dawn.

   Similarbanger

   Note

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