What does neophyte mean?
Word: Neophyte
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Neophyte means a person who has just started learning or doing something and has little experience; a beginner.
Synonyms: beginner, newcomer, learner
Antonyms: expert, veteran, master
Word origin: Comes through Latin from Greek neos, 'new', and a Greek word for a plant, so it first meant 'newly planted'.
How do you spell neophyte?
Syllables: ne - o - phyte
Tricky part: It begins with neo, the Greek for new that is also found in neon. Students who hear nee-oh write nio- or nee-.
Watch out for: niophyte, neeophyte
Memory tip: Neon was once a newly found gas, and neo- means new: a neophyte is new to something.
Neophyte in a sentence
Example 1: As a neophyte in the kitchen, Jack burnt the first three pancakes.
Example 2: The coding camp is open to neophytes as well as experienced students.
Example 3: Even the champion was once a neophyte who could not hold a racket properly.
Fun Fact
In ancient Greek a neophyte was something newly planted, like a young seedling in a garden. The general sense of any beginner came later.
Practise the CREST Way
Back to the Roots
Choose the correct option:
This word comes from Greek, first meant 'newly planted' and today means a beginner.
a) neophyte
b) neofite
c) neophite
d) neofyte
Show answer
a) neophyte. The Greek plant word phyton gives both the ph and the y.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
yhpetoen
a) someone in the first weeks of learning a new skill
b) someone who has done a job for many years
c) someone who refuses to try anything new
d) someone who trains other teachers
Show answer
a) someone in the first weeks of learning a new skill. Unscrambled, the eight letters give the word for someone new to an activity.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with the correct options:
1. neophyte 2. adversary 3. sanctuary a. refuge b. novice c. opponent
a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
b) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
c) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Show answer
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a. A neophyte is a novice, an adversary is an opponent, and a sanctuary offers refuge.
Word Champ
Choose the correct option:
1. A veteran is someone with very little experience. 2. A neophyte is a person who has just started something. 3. Neon is a gas used in brightly lit signs.
a) only 1 is true
b) only 1 and 2 are true
c) only 2 and 3 are true
d) all three are true
Show answer
c) only 2 and 3 are true. A veteran has a great deal of experience, so statement 1 is false.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which person is a neophyte?
a) someone in her first week of guitar lessons
b) a judge at a music contest
c) a teacher who trains guitar teachers
d) a guitarist who has toured for twenty years
Show answer
a) someone in her first week of guitar lessons
2. A neophyte cook would most likely need ___.
a) a simple recipe with clear steps
b) a restaurant kitchen of their own
c) no help at all
d) a cookery show to host
Show answer
a) a simple recipe with clear steps
