freshman
gb/fɹˈɛʃmən/ us/fɹˈɛʃmən/
B1
English
elsőéves, újonc, első ciklusát töltő törvényhozó, elsőéves játékos
NOUN
B1
1
elsőéves
B1
Usage pattern:
a freshman at [school]
She’s a freshman at UCLA and just moved into the dorms.
Elsőéves a UCLA-n, és most költözött be a kollégiumba.
As a freshman, he found the workload much heavier than in high school.
Elsőévesként azt tapasztalta, hogy sokkal több a tanulnivaló, mint a középiskolában.
The freshmen meet with their academic adviser during the first week.
Learner examples
I am a freshman at this university.
Elsőéves vagyok ezen az egyetemen.
My sister is a freshman in high school.
A húgom elsőéves középiskolás.
Common mistake:
In many places outside the US, people more often say “first-year student” instead of “freshman.”
Meaning
first-year student
Collocations
college freshman
|high school freshman
|incoming freshman
|freshman year
|freshman class
|freshman orientation
|freshman dorm
|freshman seminar
|freshman roommate
|freshman schedule
Synonyms
first-year (Common especially in “first-year student”; more gender-neutral.)
|
first-year student (A direct, widely used alternative in many institutions.)
Antonyms
senior (A student in the final year of high school or college.)
Themes
education
|school
|campus_life
Definition
a student in their first year at school or college
A student in the first year of study at a high school, college, or university.
NOUN
B2
2
újonc
B2
Usage pattern:
a freshman in/at [place/activity]
Don’t worry about the paperwork—everyone makes a few freshman mistakes at first.
Ne aggódj a papírmunka miatt – újoncként eleinte mindenki hibázik párat.
He felt like a freshman again when he started in a new industry.
Újra újoncnak érezte magát, amikor egy új iparágban kezdett dolgozni.
The freshmen on the committee mostly listened and took notes.
Learner examples
I felt like a freshman at my new job.
Újoncnak éreztem magam az új munkahelyemen.
Common mistake:
This meaning is often figurative; it does not always refer to a student.
Meaning
new and inexperienced person
Collocations
the freshmen on the team
|freshman members
|freshman mistakes
|freshman nerves
|a freshman at the job
|a freshman in the industry
|a freshman on the project
|the freshman group
|freshman enthusiasm
|freshman confidence
Synonyms
newcomer (Neutral term for someone new to a group or field.)
|
novice (Emphasizes lack of skill or experience.)
Antonyms
veteran (Someone with a lot of experience in a role or activity.)
Themes
work
|sports
|social_life
Definition
someone new and not experienced yet
A person who is new to a group, job, activity, or situation and lacks experience.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a freshman [senator/representative/lawmaker]
The freshman senator quickly became a visible voice on the committee.
Az első ciklusát töltő szenátor hamar a bizottság egyik markáns hangjává vált.
A group of freshman lawmakers introduced the bill together.
Első ciklusos törvényhozók egy csoportja közösen terjesztette be a törvényjavaslatot.
As a freshman in Congress, she focused on constituent services.
Learner examples
He is a freshman representative in Congress.
Első ciklusát töltő kongresszusi képviselő.
Common mistake:
This use is common in US political news; it may be unfamiliar elsewhere.
Meaning
first-term legislator
Collocations
freshman senator
|freshman representative
|freshman lawmaker
|freshman member of Congress
|freshman class in Congress
|freshman term
|freshman legislator
|freshman delegation
|freshman lawmakers
|freshman members
Synonyms
first-term lawmaker (More explicit; avoids the school-related word.)
Antonyms
senior lawmaker (A legislator with several terms of experience.)
Themes
politics
|government
|law
Definition
a politician in their first term
A member of a legislature who is serving their first term, especially in the US Congress or a state legislature.
NOUN
B2
4
Usage pattern:
a freshman [player/athlete]
The freshman scored 20 points in his first start.
Az elsőéves játékos 20 pontot szerzett, amikor először volt kezdő.
As a freshman, she adjusted quickly to the speed of the college game.
Elsőévesként gyorsan alkalmazkodott az egyetemi játék tempójához.
Two freshmen made the travel roster this season.
Learner examples
The freshman player is very fast.
Az elsőéves játékos nagyon gyors.
Common mistake:
In US college sports, people also say “true freshman” and “redshirt freshman,” which have specific meanings.
Meaning
first-year college athlete
Collocations
freshman season
|freshman quarterback
|freshman guard
|freshman starter
|freshman phenom
|true freshman
|redshirt freshman
|highly touted freshman
|freshman standout
|freshman lineup
Synonyms
rookie (More common in professional sports; can overlap in meaning.)
Antonyms
upperclassman (A student athlete beyond the first year (sophomore, junior, or senior).)
Themes
sports
|education
Definition
a student in the first year who plays on a college team
A first-year student who competes in college sports, especially in the US.
Grammar
Dictionary form
freshman
IPA
GB/fɹˈɛʃmən/
US/fɹˈɛʃmən/
Syllables & stress
fresh - man (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fresh)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: freshman
- Plural: freshmen
Word family
Expressions
freshman class
1/fɹˈɛʃmən klˈæs/
fixed phrase
group of first-year students
all the first-year students in one year
Examples
- The freshman class is larger than last year’s.
- She was elected president of the freshman class.
- The school welcomed the freshman class with a ceremony.
Learner examples
- The freshman class has 500 students.
freshman mistake
1/fɹˈɛʃmən mɪstˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
error from inexperience
a mistake made because you are new
Examples
- Leaving your badge at home is a classic freshman mistake.
- He made a freshman mistake and missed a deadline.
- The team lost on a couple of freshman mistakes in the final minutes.
Learner examples
- I made a freshman mistake on my first day.
freshman orientation
1/fɹˈɛʃmən ˌɔɹiɛntˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
intro program for new students
a program that helps new students learn about the school
Examples
- Freshman orientation includes campus tours and advising sessions.
- He met his roommate at freshman orientation.
- You’ll register for classes during freshman orientation.
Learner examples
- Freshman orientation is next week.
freshman senator
1/fɹˈɛʃmən sˈɛnɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
senator in first term
a senator in their first term
Examples
- The freshman senator drew attention with a high-profile speech.
- As a freshman senator, she focused on local issues.
- Several freshman senators joined the bipartisan group.
Learner examples
- He is a freshman senator.
freshman year
1/fɹˈɛʃmən jˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
first year at school
the first year at high school or college
Examples
- They met during freshman year and stayed friends.
- I struggled with chemistry in freshman year.
- During freshman year, she lived on campus.
Learner examples
- I made many friends in freshman year.
redshirt freshman
1/ɹˈɛdʃˈɚt fɹˈɛʃmən/
fixed phrase
technical
athlete after a redshirt year
a college athlete who did not play last year and plays this year
Examples
- Now a redshirt freshman, he finally saw action in the second half.
- She competed as a redshirt freshman after sitting out last season.
- The roster lists him as a redshirt freshman.
the freshman 15
1/ðə fɹˈɛʃmən fɪftˈin/
fixed phrase
informal
weight gain in first year
weight gain some students get in their first year of college
Examples
- She joked about trying to avoid the freshman 15.
- The article debunked the myth of the freshman 15.
- He said late-night pizza contributed to the freshman 15.
true freshman
1/tɹˈu fɹˈɛʃmən/
fixed phrase
technical
first-year athlete not redshirted
a first-year college athlete who plays immediately
Examples
- As a true freshman, he started at left tackle.
- The coach rarely plays true freshmen in big games.
- She became the first true freshman to win the event in a decade.