English Explanatory Dictionary

tenderfoot

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An inexperienced person; a novice.
  2. A newcomer or arriviste to the region in the American frontier (Old West and Wild West).
  3. A Boy Scout of the lowest rank.

Word forms

tenderfoot tenderfeet tenderfoots

Etymology

From tender + foot. Refers to the delicate feet of newcomers to ranching or mining areas. First attested 1866.

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 blow-in come-here comeling entrant FOB freshie incomer Johnny Raw offcomer outcomeling

Related words

tenderfooted cheechako greenhorn newbie

Derived words

tenderfootish tenderfootism
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on T Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary