What does incomer mean?
An incomer is someone who has recently arrived in a place, community, institution, or workplace. The word is especially common in British and Australian English and is often used for a person beginning a new job or joining an unfamiliar group. It distinguishes a person through their recent arrival rather than through nationality, background, or intention, although that lack of welcome can sometimes be implied. In formal or positive contexts, “incomer” simply presents someone as a newcomer. In more critical contexts, it may suggest that the person has not yet become fully integrated into the group. The related adjective “incoming” is widely used in both British and American English, especially in expressions such as “incoming students” and “incoming email.”
nounA person who comes into a place, organization, or community, especially a newcomer. It can also refer to someone who arrives to take up a position or opportunity.
- A person who enters or joins a place, group, or organization, especially as a newcomer.
- A person who arrives to begin a new job, course, or other role.
"The team welcomed each incomer with a carefully planned induction programme."
"As the newest incomer to the school, she was invited to join the staff social."
"The vacancy attracted several incomers with relevant professional experience."
The regular plural is incomers.
"The course is open to incomers with no previous experience."
An incomer may be joining a community, but the word often carries the faint suggestion that they are not yet part of it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does incomer come from?
The word was formed in English by combining the preposition “in” with “comer,” meaning “one who comes.” It developed in the early modern period and was later applied particularly to people newly arriving in a place or taking up a new position. Its form reflects the same productive pattern found in “incoming,” while “comer” itself is now mainly literary or archaic outside compound words.
Related word forms
How incomer is actually used
Chiefly British and Australian. In some contexts it can sound mildly dismissive, suggesting that someone is still an outsider; it is therefore less neutral than newcomer.
Easily confused with incomer
An immigrant is someone who moves to live permanently in another country, whereas an incomer is anyone entering a place or organization and does not necessarily settle there.
An intruder enters without permission or welcome, while an incomer may be an expected or legitimate arrival.