welcome
Americaninterjection
noun
verb (used with object)
-
to greet the arrival of (a person, guests, etc.) with pleasure or kindly courtesy.
-
to receive or accept with pleasure; regard as pleasant or good.
to welcome a change.
-
to meet, accept, or receive (an action, challenge, person, etc.) in a specified, especially unfriendly, manner.
They welcomed him with hisses and catcalls.
adjective
-
gladly received, as one whose arrival gives pleasure.
a welcome visitor.
-
agreeable, as something arriving, occurring, or experienced.
a welcome rest.
-
given full right by the cordial consent of others.
She is welcome to try it.
-
without obligation for the courtesy, favor, or service received (used as a conventional response to expressions of thanks): He thanked me, and I told him he was welcome.
You're quite welcome; I'm glad you like the gift.
He thanked me, and I told him he was welcome.
idioms
adjective
-
gladly and cordially received or admitted
a welcome guest
-
bringing pleasure or gratitude
a welcome gift
-
freely permitted or invited
you are welcome to call
-
under no obligation (only in such phrases as you're welcome or he's welcome , as conventional responses to thanks)
noun
-
the act of greeting or receiving a person or thing; reception
the new theory had a cool welcome
-
to come more often or stay longer than is acceptable or pleasing
verb
-
to greet the arrival of (visitors, guests, etc) cordially or gladly
-
to receive or accept, esp gladly
Other Word Forms
- prewelcome noun
- unwelcome adjective
- unwelcomed adjective
- unwelcoming adjective
- welcomely adverb
- welcomeness noun
- welcomer noun
Etymology
Origin of welcome
First recorded before 900; Middle English, from Scandinavian; compare Old Norse velkominn, equivalent to vel well 1 + kominn come (past participle); replacing Old English wilcuma “one who is welcome,” equivalent to wil- welcome ( will 2 ) + cuma “comer”
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.
If that results in change, it may be welcomed by the Iranian people - but the risks will fall on them.
From BBC
Dubai, which welcomed nearly 20 million visitors in 2025, has built its brand on safety and the global reach of its busy airport.
From Barron's
“It’s time to welcome our newest team to the program.”
From Literature
“Plans to institutionalize and operationalize the European dimension through exercises and dedicated coordinating bodies will likely be welcomed in Berlin because it gives hope that French nuclear assurances will last beyond Macron’s presidency,” he added.
"Lincoln really was quite a small college, and maybe that's what he was looking for - something that is more homely and welcoming," Gauci suggests.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
