DictionaryAI

welcome

WEL-kuhm/ˈwɛl.kəm/

Verbwelcomes, welcoming, welcomed

Adjectivewelcomer, welcomest

Noun pluralwelcomes

9 meanings of welcome

Practice

  1. 1
    greetverbtransitive
    To greet someone in a friendly way when they arrive.

    We welcome visitors at the front desk every morning.

    She welcomed her cousins with big hugs at the airport.

    UsageSay welcome someone to your home.

    Similargreet, receive

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive
    To accept something gladly because you are happy to have it.

    We welcome your ideas for the school fair.

    She welcomed the chance to rest after the long trip.

    UsageSay we welcome your ideas.

    Similarembrace, appreciate, greet, accept

    Oppositeresent, reject

    Note
  3. 3
    words of greetinginterjection
    Said in a friendly way to greet someone who has just arrived.

    Welcome! Come in out of the rain.

    Welcome to the fifth grade, everyone!

    UsageSay welcome to our school (not incorrect: welcome in our school).

    Note
  4. 4
    adjective
    Wanted as a guest and gladly let in when you arrive.

    You are always welcome at our house.

    New students are welcome at the chess club on Fridays.

    UsageSay make someone feel welcome.

    Similaraccepted, wanted

    Oppositeunwelcome, unwanted

    Note
  5. 5
    adjective
    Nice to have, see, or hear because it makes you glad.

    Like a glass of cold water on a hot day.

    The cool breeze was welcome after the long, hot walk.

    Her phone call was a welcome surprise.

    UsageSay a welcome change or a welcome break.

    Similarpleasant, pleasing, appreciated, gratifying

    Oppositeunwelcome, unpleasant, unwanted

  6. 6
    adjective
    Allowed or invited to take or use something, or to do something, used with 'to'.

    You're welcome to the rest of the pizza.

    Visitors are welcome to use the pool until nine.

    UsageSay you're welcome to stay as a friendly offer.

    Similarfree

    Note
  7. 7
    the greetingnouncountable
    The way you greet someone when they arrive, with friendly words or a kind reception.

    The team gave the new player a warm welcome.

    We got a friendly welcome at the little hotel.

    UsageSay a warm welcome.

    Similarreception, greeting

    Oppositefarewell

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 8
    noun
    Being wanted as a guest, something you can lose if you stay too long.

    After a week at my aunt's place, I felt I had worn out my welcome.

    The hot weather was fun at first, but by late September it had overstayed its welcome.

    UsageSay overstay your welcome.

    Note
  2. 9
    reply to thanksinterjectiondialectalSouthern USabbreviationellipsis
    Short for you're welcome: a casual reply when someone thanks you. Used mainly in the Southern US.

    “Thanks for the help.” “Welcome.”

    “Thank you for the ride!” “Welcome. See you tomorrow.”

    UsageSay you're welcome to be safe.

    Note

More uses

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of welcome apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Old English wilcuma, meaning "a wished-for guest," made from words meaning "desire" and "guest."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 5 facts