Beginner Meaning
/bɪˈɡɪnə/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounSomeone who is just starting at something, or has only recently started.
nounSomeone who sets something in motion.
Sentence Examples
Beside you, I'm only a beginner at this game.
Tom's a beginner, but he catches on fast.
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the cooking class, the teacher gave extra help to every ____ who had never used a knife before.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
This specific course is designed for a complete ____ in French city.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English begynner, equivalent to begin + -er. Cognate with West Frisian begjinner (“beginner”), Dutch beginner (“beginner”), Low German begünner (“beginner”), Danish nybegynder (“beginner, novice”, literally “new-beginner”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"On the stage, the beginners for the first piece had taken their places — the chorus were there, scared but determined, and in the wings waited Harlequin, in the person of Charles Lyall […]"
— 1949, Walter Macqueen-Pope, Gaiety: Theatre of Enchantment, page 60:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the cooking class, the teacher gave extra help to every ____ who had never used a knife before.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
This specific course is designed for a complete ____ in French city.