novice
UK: ˈnɒvɪs | US: ˈnɑːvɪs
n. a person who is new to or inexperienced in a field or activity
n. (historical) a person newly entered into a religious order
novice = nov<new> + ice<noun suffix>
- nov (from Latin novus, meaning "new")
- ice (a noun-forming suffix, often indicating state or quality, derived via Old French -ice from Latin -itia)
Etymology Origin:
The word "novice" traces back to the Latin novicius, meaning "newly arrived" or "beginner," derived from novus (new). It entered Middle English via Old French novice, retaining its core sense of inexperience. The suffix -ice (from Latin -itia) typically forms nouns denoting a state or condition, reinforcing the idea of being in a "new" phase. Historically, it was used for initiates in religious orders, later broadening to any field of learning.
As a novice in coding, she spent hours practicing basic algorithms.
The monastery welcomed the novice with a simple ceremony.
His painting style revealed the hand of a novice, yet his creativity shone.
The chess club paired each novice with a mentor for guidance.
Despite being a novice at gardening, her tomatoes thrived.