novice
Wet behind ears
A novice is someone new to an activity, field, or skill—a beginner who lacks experience.
The word often implies someone still learning fundamentals: a novice driver, novice programmers make this mistake constantly.
In religious contexts, a novice is a person who has entered a monastery or convent but has not yet taken final vows.
Lacking practical knowledge
- untrainedLacking learned skills
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
- tyroInexperienced learner
- fledglingInexperienced newcomer
newbie · starter · raw · unseasoned · uninitiated · untried · cub · rookie
Learner bound to employer
- internSupervised workplace learner
- studentOne formally enrolled somewhere
- pupilLearner or eye opening
- cadetMilitary academy student
recruit · probationer · mentee · understudy · protégé · disciple · learner · trainee
Religious order applicant
- monkCloistered religious devotee
- nunHebrew alphabet's fourteenth
- aspirantOne seeking advancement
- candidatePerson seeking selection
oblate · vows · monastery · convent · cloister · habit · profession · formation
Recreational pursuer of interests
- dabblerOne who skims surfaces
- enthusiastArdent admirer of something
- nonprofessionalOne lacking formal credentials
- dilettanteSuperficial pursuer of arts
tinkerer · part-timer · weekend warrior · self-taught · layperson · buff · recreational · casual
Recent arrival somewhere
- entrantCompetition participant
- inducteeOne formally admitted
- pledgeBinding promise given
- admissionEntry or confession
enrollment · orientation · onboarding · introduction · welcome · debut · first steps · rite of passage
inexperienced
Lacking practical knowledge
fledgling · newbie · starter · raw · unseasoned · uninitiated · untried · cub · rookie · tenderfoot
apprentice
Learner bound to employer
cadet · recruit · probationer · mentee · understudy · protégé · disciple · learner · trainee · scholarship
postulant
Religious order applicant
candidate · oblate · vows · monastery · convent · cloister · habit · profession · formation · religious life
hobbyist
Recreational pursuer of interests
- dabblerOne who skims surfaces
- enthusiastArdent admirer of something
- nonprofessionalOne lacking formal credentials
dilettante · tinkerer · part-timer · weekend warrior · self-taught · layperson · buff · recreational · casual · armchair
newcomer
Recent arrival somewhere
admission · enrollment · orientation · onboarding · introduction · welcome · debut · first steps · rite of passage · joining
- kung fukung fu, wushu, Shaolin, Shaolin Temple, tai chi
- amateuramateur, hobbyist, dilettante, nonprofessional, amateur league
- beginnersbeginner, rookie, newbie, newcomer, trainee
- hobbyist levelsbeginner, intermediate, advanced, expert, amateur
- mentoringmentors, mentees, protege, apprentice, advisor
- novicesbeginner, rookie, newbie, greenhorn, neophyte
novicemaster
Authority or controller
expert · professional · teacher · mentor · instructor
- novice driverInexperienced person operating vehicle
- novice monksReligious order trainees
- novice trainingInstruction for new learners
- novice classCategory for inexperienced participants