What does novice mean?
Novice means someone who is new to a particular field, activity, occupation, or skill. It is commonly used to describe a beginner who has limited experience, such as a novice driver, programmer, or photographer. The word can also function as an adjective before a noun, meaning inexperienced or new to that activity. In formal and educational contexts, novice often suggests a person who is beginning structured instruction or training, whereas in everyday use it simply means someone who is still learning. The word may also refer to a person undergoing an initial period of training in a religious community. Novice is generally neutral rather than insulting, though it can sometimes emphasize that someone needs basic instruction. Its historical connection to the idea of newness makes it especially useful in discussions of professional training, education, sports, and hobbies.
A person who is new to a field, activity, occupation, or skill and has little or no previous experience.
"The workshop welcomes complete novices and experienced practitioners alike."
The word is widely used in educational, professional, recreational, and religious contexts.
Inexperienced or new to a particular activity.
"The instructor explained the basic controls to the novice driver."
This use is especially common before nouns such as driver, player, and user.
The standard plural of novice.
"The mentors were assigned to work with novice cyclists."
Novice comes from the same Latin root as novel and innovation: all begin with the idea of something being new.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of novice
The word entered English in the late Middle English period through Old French novice, which came from Latin novicius, meaning new or inexperienced. Latin novicius was derived from novus, meaning new. The same root underlies words such as novel, novelty, and innovation.
Related word forms
How novice is actually used
Novice is used in both formal and informal contexts and generally conveys that someone is at the beginning of learning or doing something. As an adjective, it is less common than the noun and is especially frequent in attributive uses such as novice driver or novice player.
Easily confused with novice
A novice is someone who is new to a field or activity, whereas a notice is an announcement or the act of becoming aware of something.