novice

Novice is a term used to describe a person who is new to a field, activity, or role. As a noun, it refers to the individual; as an adjective, it describes someone with limited experience. The word derives from Latin novicius, meaning new, and entered English through Old French and other channels.

In general usage, a novice is someone beginning to learn a skill or adopt a practice. The term can be neutral, but it may carry a mildly evaluative sense depending on context, especially when contrasted with more experienced practitioners.

Religious contexts sometimes use the term to denote a person undergoing initial formation in a religious order. A novitiate is the period of training before taking final vows, during which the novice learns the rules, lifestyle, and commitments of the order.

In competitive settings, "novice" often designates a category or division for entrants with limited experience. Eligibility rules vary by organization, but the intent is to create fair competition among participants with similar levels of expertise.

In education and professional development, novices require guidance, practice, and feedback to progress toward competence. The concept is central to many skill acquisition models; for example, the Dreyfus model of skill acquisition places novices at the initial, rule-based stage before more advanced, intuitive performance develops.

Synonyms include beginner, neophyte, newcomer, trainee, and apprentice. Antonyms include expert and veteran. Overall, the term highlights stage-appropriate expectations, performance criteria, and pathways to increased proficiency.