Library / English Dictionary

WELCOME

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A greeting or reception

Example:

the proposal got a warm welcome

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("welcome" is a kind of...):

greeting; salutation ((usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "welcome"):

cordial reception; hospitality (kindness in welcoming guests or strangers)

inhospitality (unkind and inconsiderate welcome)

glad hand (a warm welcome; may be insincere)

Derivation:

welcome (accept gladly)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The state of being welcome

Example:

don't outstay your welcome

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("welcome" is a kind of...):

acceptance (the state of being acceptable and accepted)

Derivation:

welcome (receive someone, as into one's house)

welcome (giving pleasure or satisfaction or received with pleasure or freely granted)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Giving pleasure or satisfaction or received with pleasure or freely granted

Example:

you are welcome to join us

Classified under:

Adjectives

Also:

wanted (desired or wished for or sought)

Antonym:

unwelcome (not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure)

Derivation:

welcome (the state of being welcome)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Bid welcome to; greet upon arrival

Synonyms:

receive; welcome

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "welcome" is one way to...):

greet; recognise; recognize (express greetings upon meeting someone)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Antonym:

say farewell (say good-bye or bid farewell)

Derivation:

welcomer (a person who greets)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Receive someone, as into one's house

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "welcome" is one way to...):

invite; receive; take in (express willingness to have in one's home or environs)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

welcome (the state of being welcome)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Accept gladly

Example:

I welcome your proposals

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "welcome" is one way to...):

accept; have; take (receive willingly something given or offered)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

welcome (a greeting or reception)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Uranus, on January 10, will turn direct, and that will be welcome news.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

“You are very welcome to both,” said he.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She was as welcome to wish herself there as to be there.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

As for admiration, it was always very welcome when it came, but she did not depend on it.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

He had always a home with us whenever he chose it; he was always welcome; he was like a brother.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

You’re welcome always to my news.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

There's fame for him, and he's welcome to it.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The children welcomed White Fang with glad cries and ran to meet him.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Is Allenham the only house in the neighbourhood to which you will be welcome?

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed really glad to see them; anything was a welcome relief to him at Rosings; and Mrs. Collins's pretty friend had moreover caught his fancy very much.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)