Words / A2

bi-GIN-uh/bɪˈɡɪnə/

A beginner has just started to learn: a beginner’s class, complete beginner, beginner’s luck (extra). Learner is a cousin, often for drivers. Expert is an opposite idea. Beginning is the start of something, not the person. Do not write beginner when you mean beginning, or beginner vs winner.

Meaning

A person who has just started to learn something.

Examples

• “This swimming class is for beginners only.”
• “This ski slope is for beginners, not for races.”
• “I am a beginner at Italian, so speak slowly please.”

Good to know

a beginner’s class / complete beginner. Contrast: expert. Mix-up: beginning (the start).

Near in meaning

learner

New