entrant
One who joins
An entrant is someone who enters—a competition, a market, a profession, or a physical space.
The word often appears in contexts of newcomers: a new entrant to the workforce, late entrants to the race.
In business, entrants are companies entering an established market: The industry's dominant players face pressure from foreign entrants.
Inexperienced newcomer to field
- beginnerOne who lacks experience
- neophyteInexperienced beginner
- newcomerRecent arrival somewhere
- fledglingInexperienced newcomer
greenhorn · newbie · tyro · trainee · apprentice · recruit · freshman · learner
Recent participant in activity
- startupNew business enterprise
- disruptorOne who overturns norms
- newcomerRecent arrival somewhere
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
upstart · launch · expansion · penetration · barrier · incumbent · underdog · breakout
Competition participant
- competitorOne striving against others
- participantOne who takes part
- contenderOne competing seriously
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
rival · player · athlete · finalist · semifinalist · qualifier · racer · marathoner
Person seeking selection
- applicantOne who formally requests
- aspirantOne seeking advancement
- hopefulFeeling positive expectation
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
nominee · petitioner · bidder · seeker · interviewee · submission · application · shortlist
One beginning publicly
- first-timerNewcomer to an activity
- premiereFirst public performance
- maidenUnmarried young woman
- inauguralFirst in office
introduction · launch · unveiling · commencement · emergence · breakthrough · arrival · first appearance
novice
Inexperienced newcomer to field
fledgling · greenhorn · newbie · tyro · trainee · apprentice · recruit · freshman · learner · probationer
new player
Recent participant in activity
challenger · upstart · launch · expansion · penetration · barrier · incumbent · underdog · breakout
contestant
Competition participant
- competitorOne striving against others
- participantOne who takes part
- contenderOne competing seriously
challenger · rival · player · athlete · finalist · semifinalist · qualifier · racer · marathoner · opponent
candidate
Person seeking selection
- applicantOne who formally requests
- aspirantOne seeking advancement
- hopefulFeeling positive expectation
prospect · nominee · petitioner · bidder · seeker · interviewee · submission · application · shortlist · qualifier
debutant
One beginning publicly
- first-timerNewcomer to an activity
- premiereFirst public performance
- maidenUnmarried young woman
inaugural · introduction · launch · unveiling · commencement · emergence · breakthrough · arrival · first appearance · coming out
- beginnersbeginner, novice, rookie, newbie, newcomer
- candidatescandidate, candidates, nominee, nominees, contender
- competitorscompetitor, contestant, competitors, rivals, opponents
- newcomersnewcomers, newcomer, new arrivals, new arrival, newbie
- novicesnovice, beginner, rookie, newbie, greenhorn
- participantsparticipant, respondent, applicant, enrollee, attendee
entrantveteran
Experienced former soldier
incumbent · expert · old hand · defending champion · reigning champion
- make an entranceArrive dramatically, memorably
- main entrancePrincipal point of entry
- entrance examTest for acceptance
- grand entranceOstentatious way to appear
- side entranceNon-primary building access
- college entranceGaining university admission