A1 noun Neutral #366 most common 1 min read

welcome

/ˈwɛlkəm/

A welcome is the positive and friendly reception given to someone upon their arrival.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • A friendly greeting for someone arriving.
  • Makes people feel accepted and comfortable.
  • Used in many social situations.

Overview

The word 'welcome' as a noun refers to the act of greeting someone in a friendly and hospitable manner. It's about making a new arrival feel accepted and comfortable. This can range from a simple verbal greeting to more elaborate gestures that show appreciation for their presence.

As a noun, 'welcome' is often used in phrases like 'give someone a warm welcome,' 'receive a welcome,' or 'extend a welcome.' It can also be used more abstractly to describe the general feeling of acceptance one gets in a new environment. The focus is on the positive reception.

You'll commonly hear 'welcome' used when people arrive at a party, a new home, a country, or even a new job. It's a fundamental part of social interaction, signaling politeness and hospitality. For instance, a host might say, 'We're so glad you could make it. Please accept our warmest welcome.'

While 'welcome' (noun) focuses on the act of greeting and reception, 'greeting' is a more general term for any expression of goodwill upon meeting. 'Reception' can be similar but often implies a more formal or organized event. 'Hospitality' refers to the friendly and generous treatment of guests or strangers, which is closely related to the feeling conveyed by a 'welcome.' 'Welcome' specifically highlights the positive and friendly nature of the reception itself.

Examples

1

The team gave their new coach a very warm welcome.

everyday

The team gave their new coach a very warm welcome.

2

We extend a sincere welcome to all our distinguished guests.

formal

We extend a sincere welcome to all our distinguished guests.

3

It was great to get such a nice welcome after the long journey.

informal

It was great to get such a nice welcome after the long journey.

4

The study aimed to analyze the cultural nuances of a welcome in international diplomacy.

academic

The study aimed to analyze the cultural nuances of a welcome in international diplomacy.

Synonyms

greeting reception salutation hospitality acceptance hello

Antonyms

rejection exclusion hostility

Common Collocations

warm welcome warm welcome
friendly welcome friendly welcome
give a welcome give a welcome
receive a welcome receive a welcome

Common Phrases

You're welcome.

You're welcome.

Give a warm welcome.

Give a warm welcome.

Make someone feel welcome.

Make someone feel welcome.

Often Confused With

welcome vs greeting

A 'greeting' is any expression of goodwill upon meeting someone, like saying 'hello.' A 'welcome' is a specific type of greeting that signifies acceptance and warmth, especially for someone arriving.

welcome vs reception

'Reception' can mean the act of receiving something or someone, or a formal social gathering. 'Welcome' specifically emphasizes the friendly and positive nature of the reception upon arrival.

Grammar Patterns

give someone a [adjective] welcome receive a [adjective] welcome extend a welcome to someone a warm welcome

How to Use It

Usage Notes

As a noun, 'welcome' is typically used to describe the act of greeting someone. It often appears with adjectives like 'warm,' 'friendly,' or 'sincere.' You might 'give someone a welcome' or 'receive a welcome.' It's a common and generally positive term.


Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse the noun 'welcome' with the adjective or verb forms. For example, saying 'They give us welcome' instead of 'They give us a welcome' (noun) or 'We welcome you' (verb). Ensure you use the correct form based on the sentence structure.

Tips

💡

Offer a Warm Greeting

When someone arrives, offer a genuine smile and a friendly greeting. This creates a positive welcome.

⚠️

Avoid a Cold Reception

A lack of greeting or a distant attitude can make someone feel unwelcome. Always aim for warmth.

🌍

Hospitality Varies Culturally

The way people are welcomed can differ greatly between cultures. Be mindful and respectful of local customs.

Word Origin

The word 'welcome' comes from the Old English 'wilcuma,' meaning 'a welcome guest.' It's a combination of 'wil-' (meaning pleasure or desire) and 'cuma' (meaning comer or guest).

Cultural Context

Offering a 'welcome' is a near-universal sign of politeness and hospitality across cultures. The specific gestures and words used may vary, but the underlying intent to make an arrival feel positive is common.

Memory Tip

Think of 'welcome' as the feeling you get when someone opens their arms wide for you – a big, warm embrace of acceptance.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

As a noun, 'welcome' refers to the act of greeting someone warmly and making them feel accepted. It's the friendly reception they receive when they arrive.

It's used when someone arrives at a new place, like a home, event, or country, to show they are wanted and accepted.

Yes, 'welcome' inherently implies a positive and friendly reception. It's about making someone feel comfortable and appreciated.

Primarily, 'welcome' is used for people. However, you might metaphorically speak of a 'welcome change' or a 'welcome relief,' meaning something positive and desired has arrived.

Test Yourself

fill blank

We gave the new neighbors a warm ______.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: welcome

The phrase 'a warm ______' requires a noun. 'Welcome' is the correct noun form here.

multiple choice

Her arrival was met with a cheerful ______ from everyone.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: welcome

'Welcome' specifically refers to a positive reception upon arrival, fitting the context of 'cheerful' and 'arrival'.

sentence building

a warm welcome / us / they / gave

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: They gave us a warm welcome.

This sentence follows the standard Subject-Verb-Indirect Object-Direct Object structure in English.

Score: /3

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