[wel-kuh
m] 
interjection, noun, verb, -comed, -com⋅ing, adjective | 1. | (a word of kindly greeting, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure): Welcome, stranger! |
| 2. | a kindly greeting or reception, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure: to give someone a warm welcome. |
| 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, esp. unfriendly, manner: They welcomed him with hisses and catcalls. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| wel·come (wěl'kəm) adj.
[Middle English, alteration (influenced by wel, well) of Old English wilcuma, welcome guest, welcome; see gwā- in Indo-European roots.] wel'come·ly adv., wel'come·ness n., wel'com·er n. |