welcome
(a word of kindly greeting, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure): Welcome, stranger!
a kindly greeting or reception, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure: to give someone a warm welcome.
to greet the arrival of (a person, guests, etc.) with pleasure or kindly courtesy.
to receive or accept with pleasure; regard as pleasant or good: to welcome a change.
to meet, accept, or receive (an action, challenge, person, etc.) in a specified, especially unfriendly, manner: They welcomed him with hisses and catcalls.
gladly received, as one whose arrival gives pleasure: a welcome visitor.
agreeable, as something arriving, occurring, or experienced: a welcome rest.
given full right by the cordial consent of others: She is welcome to try it.
without obligation for the courtesy, favor, or service received (used as a conventional response to expressions of thanks): You're quite welcome; I'm glad you like the gift.He thanked me, and I told him he was welcome.
Idioms about welcome
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 of welcome
1word story For welcome
But the phrase “You're welcome" has always existed alongside a host of other possible responses to a thank-you, ranging from a casual “Sure” or “Any time” to more elaborate expressions like “You're quite welcome” or “My pleasure; I'm happy to help.” There is even a reciprocal thank-you: Thank you for coming to my party. Thank you for inviting me. Toward the end of the 20th century, especially among younger people and in very informal situations, it became popular to respond with a breezy “No problem”— a phrase that, though well received in some situations, can come across as flippant and dismissive of the other person's expression of gratitude. Many different forms of expression can be appropriate for acknowledging thanks for a favor or service in different circumstances; but among the varied expressions, the one that is always gracious remains the classic “You're welcome.”
Other words from welcome
- wel·come·ness, noun
- wel·com·er, noun
- pre·wel·come, noun, verb (used with object), pre·wel·comed, pre·wel·com·ing.
- un·wel·come, adjective
- un·wel·comed, adjective
- un·wel·com·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for welcome
/ (ˈwɛlkəm) /
gladly and cordially received or admitted: a welcome guest
bringing pleasure or gratitude: a welcome gift
freely permitted or invited: you are welcome to call
under no obligation (only in such phrases as you're welcome or he's welcome, as conventional responses to thanks)
an expression of cordial greeting, esp to a person whose arrival is desired or pleasing
the act of greeting or receiving a person or thing; reception: the new theory had a cool welcome
wear out one's welcome to come more often or stay longer than is acceptable or pleasing
to greet the arrival of (visitors, guests, etc) cordially or gladly
to receive or accept, esp gladly
Origin of welcome
1Derived forms of welcome
- welcomely, adverb
- welcomeness, noun
- welcomer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with welcome
see warm welcome; wear out one's welcome; you're welcome.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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