What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
freshman
Example
I'm a freshman at the university this year. [freshman: noun]
Example
She's a freshman on the basketball team and still learning the plays. [freshman: adjective]
rookie
Example
He's a rookie quarterback for the football team this season. [rookie: noun]
Example
She's still a rookie teacher and learning how to manage her classroom. [rookie: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Freshman is more commonly used than rookie in everyday language, especially in the context of education. However, rookie is more common in the context of sports and professions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between freshman and rookie?
Freshman is generally considered more formal than rookie, which has a more casual tone and is often used in sports or informal settings.
