comer
One showing promise
A comer is someone who arrives or approaches: all comers welcome.
More often, comer describes someone showing promise or gaining momentum—a rising talent: She's a real comer in the tech industry.
The phrase first come, first served treats arrivals by order; all comers means anyone who shows up.
One competing seriously
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- rivalOne who competes against
- hopefulFeeling positive expectation
- front-runnerLikely winner
rising star · dark horse · prospect · underdog · finalist · semifinalist · qualifier · entrant
Act of reaching destination
- newbieInexperienced person, informally
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
- beginnerOne who lacks experience
fresh face · new arrival · outsider · stranger · immigrant · transplant · new kid · first-timer
contender
One competing seriously
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- rivalOne who competes against
- hopefulFeeling positive expectation
front-runner · rising star · dark horse · prospect · underdog · finalist · semifinalist · qualifier · entrant · participant
arrival
Act of reaching destination
- newbieInexperienced person, informally
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- noviceInexperienced newcomer to field
beginner · fresh face · new arrival · outsider · stranger · immigrant · transplant · new kid · first-timer · neophyte
rising star
Emerging person of promise
wunderkind · hopeful · prospect · future star · breakout · sensation · whiz kid · natural · gifted · potential
- verbosser, hablar, defender, vender, saber
- rising starsrising star, breakout star, prospect, emerging artist, phenom