welcome

[wel-kuh m] /ˈwɛl kəm/
interjection
1.
(a word of kindly greeting, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure):
Welcome, stranger!
noun
2.
a kindly greeting or reception, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure:
to give someone a warm welcome.
verb (used with object), welcomed, welcoming.
3.
to greet the arrival of (a person, guests, etc.) with pleasure or kindly courtesy.
4.
to receive or accept with pleasure; regard as pleasant or good:
to welcome a change.
5.
to meet, accept, or receive (an action, challenge, person, etc.) in a specified, especially unfriendly, manner:
They welcomed him with hisses and catcalls.
adjective
6.
gladly received, as one whose arrival gives pleasure:
a welcome visitor.
7.
agreeable, as something arriving, occurring, or experienced:
a welcome rest.
8.
given full right by the cordial consent of others:
She is welcome to try it.
9.
without obligation for the courtesy or favor received (used as a conventional response to expressions of thanks):
You're quite welcome.
Idioms
10.
wear out one's welcome, to make one's visits so frequent or of such long duration that they become offensive:
Your cousins have long since worn out their welcome.
Origin
before 900; Middle English < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse velkominn, equivalent to vel well1 + kominn come (past participle); replacing Old English wilcuma one who is welcome, equivalent to wil- welcome (see will2) + cuma comer
Related forms
welcomeness, noun
welcomer, noun
prewelcome, noun, verb (used with object), prewelcomed, prewelcoming.
unwelcome, adjective
unwelcomed, adjective
unwelcoming, adjective
Examples from the web for welcome
  • Poets, fiction writers, translators and creative thinkers with substantial records of publication are welcome to apply.
  • Nevertheless, the growing understanding that serious climate-control measures are feasible at modest cost is welcome.
  • Colorful annuals make welcome additions to winter-to-spring gardens.
  • We should welcome the former and discourage the latter.
  • welcome or not, dying is a natural part of the circle of life.
  • Visitors who want a bit of quiet will also welcome a stroll down the bay's pristine coastline.
  • Meanwhile, tourists are still welcome to explore the rock art freely, and talks are in progress to build a visitor center.
  • Our lighter alternative tastes deceptively rich, is extremely easy, and offers a a welcome respite from heavy holiday fare.
  • Construction cranes are not necessarily a welcome sight in a rain forest.
  • Rows of handsome palms, loaded with clusters of ripening fruit, give a welcome lushness to the arid landscape.
British Dictionary definitions for welcome

welcome

/ˈwɛlkəm/
adjective
1.
gladly and cordially received or admitted: a welcome guest
2.
bringing pleasure or gratitude: a welcome gift
3.
freely permitted or invited: you are welcome to call
4.
under no obligation (only in such phrases as you're welcome or he's welcome, as conventional responses to thanks)
sentence substitute
5.
an expression of cordial greeting, esp to a person whose arrival is desired or pleasing
noun
6.
the act of greeting or receiving a person or thing; reception: the new theory had a cool welcome
7.
wear out one's welcome, to come more often or stay longer than is acceptable or pleasing
verb (transitive)
8.
to greet the arrival of (visitors, guests, etc) cordially or gladly
9.
to receive or accept, esp gladly
Derived Forms
welcomely, adverb
welcomeness, noun
welcomer, noun
Word Origin
C12: changed (through influence of well1) from Old English wilcuma (agent noun referring to a welcome guest), wilcume (a greeting of welcome), from wilwill² + cuman to come
Word Origin and History for welcome
n.

Old English wilcuma, exclamation of kindly greeting, from earlier wilcuma (n.) "welcome guest," literally "one whose coming is in accord with another's will," from willa "pleasure, desire, choice" (see will (v.)) + cuma "guest," related to cuman (see come). Cf. Old High German willicomo, Middle Dutch wellecome. Meaning "entertainment or public reception as a greeting" is recorded from 1530. You're welcome as a formulaic response to thank you is attested from 1907. Welcome mat first recorded 1951; welcome wagon is attested from 1961.

v.

Old English wilcumian, from wilcuma (see welcome (n.)). Related: Welcomed; welcoming.

Idioms and Phrases with welcome

welcome

see: