debutant

American

[deb-yoo-tahnt, -yuh-] / ˈdɛb yʊˌtɑnt, -yə- /

Or débutant

noun

a person who makes a debut into a professional career or before the public.

debutant British

/ ˈdɛbjʊˌtɑːnt, -ˌtænt /

noun

a person who is making a first appearance in a particular capacity, such as a sportsperson playing in a first game for a team

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of debutant

1815–25; < French débutant, present participle of débuter. See debut, -ant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tyson Fury was dropped and pushed to the brink by boxing debutant Francis Ngannou in 2023, who came close to one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight history.

From BBC

Northern Ireland's Josh Rock, who is the other debutant in this year's field, lost 6-2 to Van Veen in the quarters, but delighted the home crowd with the first nine-darter of this year's tournament.

From BBC

Despite scoring five tries -- with backs Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Thomas Ramos, debutant Gael Drean and Emilien Gailleton also crossing the whitewash -- Galthie was happier with the defensive effort than the attacking one.

From Barron's

With Louis Lynagh in the sin-bin, debutant Gael Drean grabbed the vital bonus-point try and Emilien Gailleton crossed in a less eventful second half.

From BBC

Mikey Lewis' kicking game forced a series of errors from the Broncos and tries from debutant Tom Amone, Elliot Minchella, Joe Burgess, Oliver Gildart and Peta Hiku opened up a 30-4 lead, with Gehamat Shibasaki conjuring the only reply.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023