English Explanatory Dictionary

greenhorn

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An inexperienced person; a novice, beginner, or newcomer.
  2. A Portuguese person.
name
  1. A census-designated place in Plumas County, California, United States.

Pronunciation

grēn′hôrn′ /ˈɡɹiːnˌhɔːɹn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-greenhorn.wav /ˈɡɹinˌhoɹn/ /ˈɡɹiːnˌhoːɹn/ /ˈɡɾiːnˌhoːɾn/

Word forms

greenhorn greenhorns green-horn green horn

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English grene horn, which is attested for “horn of a recently killed animal” and as the name of a horse. It may also have been used of young horned animals. In all cases “green” refers to the idea of “fresh, young, recent”, taken from plants and used in Middle English for all kinds of things irrespective of their colour, e.g. wounds, leather, fish, cheese (see green cheese). Figurative use for people dates from the 17th century. Compare semantically German Grünschnabel (literally “green-beak”). By surface analysis, green + horn.

Synonyms

abecedarian alphabetarian apprentice amateur beginner bun colt first-timer fledgling FNG fresh meat freshman greenhorn greenie greener homo novus inceptor initiate Johnny-come-lately learner neophyte newbie newb newbro new chum newcomer newfag newfriend newling noob n00b novice novitiate nozzer nub nubcake puny pup probationer probationist probie recruit stranger rookie tenderfoot trainee tyro younker

Derived words

greenhornish greenhornism
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