welcome

1 of 4

verb

wel·​come ˈwel-kəm How to pronounce welcome (audio)
welcomed; welcoming
Synonyms of welcome

transitive verb

1
: to greet hospitably and with courtesy or cordiality
2
: to accept with pleasure the occurrence or presence of
welcomes danger
welcomer noun

welcome

2 of 4

interjection

—used to express a greeting to a guest or newcomer upon arrival

welcome

3 of 4

adjective

1
: received gladly into one's presence or companionship
was always welcome in their home
2
: giving pleasure : received with gladness or delight especially in response to a need
a welcome relief
3
: willingly permitted or admitted
He was welcome to come and go …—William Thackeray
4
—used in the phrase you're welcome as a reply to an expression of thanks
welcomely adverb
welcomeness noun

welcome

4 of 4

noun

1
: a greeting or reception usually upon arrival
a warm welcome
2
: the state of being welcome
overstayed their welcome

Synonyms of welcome

Relevance

Verb

Adjective

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of welcome in a Sentence

Verb She welcomed the students into her home. We welcome you to the show. He's a bright student who welcomes a challenge. Adjective That will be a welcome change. He was a welcome sight. Noun He was given a hero's welcome when he returned home after winning the race. offered a warm welcome to the stranger
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Now, the team has welcomed former Scottish Women’s Premier League coach Eva Olid, 40, to lead the youth movement. — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026 From a private children’s pool with a dedicated lifeguard to an on-site Kids Resort to children’s spa treatments and even babysitting services, the team is truly prepared to welcome their young guests with an unforgettable experience. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Interjection
To the Japanese, Dutch, Swiss, English, Danish, French, Aussie, Argentine, Jordanian, Kiwi and the rest of our brothers and sisters who have drained their bank accounts who plan to watch the 2026 World Cup here in DFW, welcome — please have your credit card and three-digit PIN ready. — Mac Engel june 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026 He was announced as the host for WrestleMania 42 and appeared in Las Vegas to announce the attendance, welcome Bianca Belair for her pregnancy revelation and had a segment with Danhausen, The Miz and Kit Wilson. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
Adjective
Tuesday morning’s workout brought a welcome diversion from drills, when SDSU players and coaches moved from the turf to the grass practice field and actually played some football. — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 Everyone is welcome to visit the Black Entrepreneur State Fair at the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. — Reg Chapman, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
Travelers also have their pick of embarkation ports, from the convenience of departures from New York City to the thrill of sailings from historic San Juan, Puerto Rico, or the friendly Texas welcome of a Galveston embarkation. — Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026 If Enterprise is the Star Trek show cut off too soon, Discovery may very well be the first Star Trek show to have outlived its welcome. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for welcome

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English welcumian, wylcumian, from wilcuma, noun

Interjection

Middle English, alteration of wilcume, from Old English, from wilcuma desirable guest (akin to Old High German willicomo desirable guest); akin to Old English willa, will desire, cuman to come — more at will, come

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Interjection

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of welcome was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing welcome

Rhymes for welcome

See All Rhymes for welcome

Browse Nearby Words

welch plug
welcome
welcome home
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Welcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welcome. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

welcome

1 of 4 interjection
wel·​come ˈwel-kəm How to pronounce welcome (audio)
—used to greet a guest or newcomer upon arrival

welcome

2 of 4 verb
welcomed; welcoming
1
: to greet in a warm and friendly manner
2
: to receive or accept with pleasure
welcomes a challenge
welcomer noun

welcome

3 of 4 adjective
1
: received gladly
a welcome visitor
2
: giving pleasure : pleasing
welcome news
3
: willingly permitted to do, have, or enjoy something
anyone is welcome to use the pool
4
—used in the phrase "You're welcome" as a reply to an expression of thanks

welcome

4 of 4 noun
: a friendly greeting or reception

More from Merriam-Webster on welcome

Nglish: Translation of welcome for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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