adj

welcome

WEHL-kuhm

adj

Received with pleasure; wanted or appreciated.

"Your feedback is always welcome."

"After the long hike, a hot shower was very welcome."

verb

To greet someone warmly on their arrival, or to accept something gladly.

"The whole family came out to welcome us at the airport."

"She welcomed the news with a huge smile."

noun

A greeting or reception given to someone arriving.

"They gave the returning soldiers a hero's welcome."

How to Use Welcome

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWanted, or the act of greeting someone gladly.

Common mistake

"You're welcome" (a reply to thanks) is often confused in spelling with "your welcome" — "your" is the possessive; "you're" means "you are."

Common pairings

welcome someone with open arms a warm welcome outstay your welcome welcome news

Word Forms

welcomer comparative, welcomed past tense, welcomes plural, Welcomes plural, welcomes singular, welcomest superlative

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Your feedback is always _____.

Etymology

From Old English wilcuma, literally "a person whose coming is wished for," combining will (desire) and come. The "wil-" was later reshaped into "wel-," influenced by the word "well," once people stopped connecting it to "will."

Rhymes for welcome

ome some come home Rome nome tome dome gnome genome become income

See all rhymes for welcome →