Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense welcomes, present participle welcoming, past tense, past participle welcomed
1. verb
If you welcome someone, you greet them in a friendly way when they arrive somewhere.
Several people came by to welcome me. [VERB noun]
She was there to welcome him home from war. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
The delegates received a welcoming speech by the President. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: greet, meet, receive, embrace More Synonyms of welcome
Welcome is also a noun.
There would be a fantastic welcome awaiting him back here.
2. convention
You use welcome in expressions such as welcome home, welcome to London, and welcome back when you are greeting someone who has just arrived somewhere.
[formulae]
Welcome to Washington.
Welcome back, Deborah–It's good to have you here.
3. verb
If you welcome an action, decision, or situation, you approve of it and are pleased that it has occurred.
She welcomed this move but said that overall the changes didn't go far enough. [VERB noun]
In Germany, the move was welcomed by the Bundesbank president. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: accept gladly, appreciate, embrace, approve of More Synonyms of welcome
Welcome is also a noun.
Environmental groups have given a guarded welcome to the Prime Minister's proposal.
4. adjective
If you describe something as welcome, you mean that people wanted it and are happy that it has occurred.
This was certainly a welcome change of fortune.
The new 25 metre pool for more serious swimmers is a welcome addition.
Any progress in reducing chemical weapons is welcome.
5. verb
If you say that you welcome certain people or actions, you are inviting and encouraging people to do something, for example to come to a particular place.
We welcome you to join us on a special tour which explores this unique Australianattraction. [VERB noun]
We would welcome your views about the survey. [VERB noun]
6. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you say that someone is welcome in a particular place, you are encouraging them to go there by telling them that they will be liked and accepted.
New members are always welcome.
I told him he wasn't welcome in my home. [+ in]
7. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE, usually ADJECTIVE to-infinitive]
If you tell someone that they are welcometo do something, you are encouraging them to do it by telling them that they are allowed to do it.
You are welcome to visit the hospital at any time.
...a conservatory which guests are welcome to use.
8. adjective
If you say that someone is welcome to something, you mean that you do not want it yourself because you do not like it andyou are very willing for them to have it.
If women want to take on the business world, they are welcome to it as far as I'mconcerned. [+ to]
9. See also welcoming
10.
See make sb welcome
11.
See to outstay your welcome
12.
See you're welcome
More Synonyms of welcome
welcome in British English
(ˈwɛlkəm)
adjective
1.
gladly and cordially received or admitted
a welcome guest
2.
bringing pleasure or gratitude
a welcome gift
3.
freely permitted or invited
you are welcome to call
4.
under no obligation (only in such phrases as you're welcome or he's welcome, as conventional responses to thanks)
sentence substitute
5.
an expression of cordial greeting, esp to a person whose arrival is desired or pleasing
noun
6.
the act of greeting or receiving a person or thing; reception
the new theory had a cool welcome
7. wear out one's welcome
verb(transitive)
8.
to greet the arrival of (visitors, guests, etc) cordially or gladly
9.
to receive or accept, esp gladly
Derived forms
welcomely (ˈwelcomely)
adverb
welcomeness (ˈwelcomeness)
noun
welcomer (ˈwelcomer)
noun
Word origin
C12: changed (through influence of well1) from Old English wilcuma (agent noun referring to a welcome guest), wilcume (a greeting of welcome), from wilwill2 + cuman to come
welcome in American English
(ˈwɛlkəm)
adjective
1.
gladly and cordially received
a welcome guest
2.
agreeable or gratifying
welcome news
3.
freely and willingly permitted or invited
welcome to use the library
noun
4.
an act or expression of welcoming
a hearty (or cold) welcome
interjection
5.
you are welcome here
an expression of cordial greeting
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈwelcomed or ˈwelcoming
6.
to greet with pleasure and hospitality
7.
to receive or accept with pleasure or satisfaction
to welcome criticism
8.
to meet, receive, or acknowledge in a specified way; greet
Idioms:
bid welcome
wear out one's welcome
you're welcome
Derived forms
welcomer (ˈwelcomer)
noun
Word origin
ME welcume, altered by assoc. with wel, well2 (as if transl. of OFr bien venu) < wilcume < OE wilcuma, orig. n., a welcome guest < willa, pleasure, UNRESOLVED CROSS REF + cuma, guest < cuman, to come
Examples of 'welcome' in a sentence
welcome
Some fans will dislike him but largely he will get a good welcome back.
The Sun (2016)
This is very much welcomed by business.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The people were fantastically welcoming and the atmosphere in both cities seemed relaxed.
The Sun (2016)
The staff were welcoming and it feels relaxed.
The Sun (2017)
We have to trust them and try to make them welcome.
The Sun (2016)
Welcome them back but resist making a fuss.
The Sun (2017)
Campaigners have welcomed moves to act over price inflation by drug companies but questioned why health officials had failed to act sooner.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Many would accept resettlement in welcome centres around France, they said.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So he ought to go back there and get a fantastic welcome.
The Sun (2013)
So he was ready to give a cordial welcome to his unknown relation.
Elizabeth Gaskell Wives and Daughters (1864)
The visitors we welcome can feel confident that their interests are safe with us.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This weekend families of the victims welcomed the move.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was as if they were personally welcoming him back home.
Chris Gidney CELEBRATING SECOMBE: A Tribute to Sir Harry Secombe (2002)
We welcomed and accepted them as they were.
Christianity Today (2000)
Six in ten adults say they would welcome a chance to vote.
The Sun (2012)
My father told him he was very welcome to use the drawing room.
James Fergusson KANDAHAR COCKNEY: A Tale of Two Worlds (2004)
Whom will the fish of the laughing ocean make welcome?
Crowley, Vivianne Phoenix From the Flame (1994)
You have to welcome people into your life.
Vera Peiffer POSITIVE THINKING: Everything you have always known about positive thinking but wereafraid to put into practice (2001)
More reflective passages would also have been welcome.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This welcome boost came just in the nick of time.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They are arriving this afternoon and we absolutely welcome their arrival.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Good businesses welcome constructive challenge from shareholders.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We actively encourage transparency in our business and welcome regulation.
The Sun (2009)
These look sensible and are welcome as far as they go.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The proposals are certainly welcome news for mothers who want to work.
The Sun (2009)
The toiletries came in generous bottles that made us feel welcome to stay for weeks.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Politicians gave the plan a warm welcome last night.
The Sun (2012)
Jobs data are expected to provide further welcome news on the economy.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The pious generally welcome the change in direction.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Wall Street appeared to give the deal a cool welcome.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Other New Yorkers have welcomed him home by protesting in the streets.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
welcome
British English: welcome /ˈwɛlkəm/ NOUN
If you give someone a welcome, you greet them in a friendly way when they arrive somewhere.
There would be a fantastic welcome awaiting him back here.
American English: welcome
Arabic: تَرْحِيب
Brazilian Portuguese: boas-vindas
Chinese: 欢迎
Croatian: dobrodošlica
Czech: přivítání
Danish: velkomst
Dutch: welkomst
European Spanish: recibimiento
Finnish: vastaanotto
French: bienvenue
German: Willkommen
Greek: καλωσόρισμα
Italian: accoglienza
Japanese: 歓迎
Korean: 환영 인사
Norwegian: velkomst
Polish: powitanie
European Portuguese: boas-vindas
Romanian: primire
Russian: приветствие
Latin American Spanish: recibimiento
Swedish: välkomnande
Thai: การต้อนรับ
Turkish: karşılama
Ukrainian: привітання
Vietnamese: sự đón tiếp
British English: welcome /ˈwɛlkəm/ VERB
If you welcome someone, you greet them in a friendly way when they arrive somewhere.
Several people came by to welcome me.
American English: welcome
Arabic: يُرَحِّبُ بِ
Brazilian Portuguese: dar as boas-vindas
Chinese: 欢迎
Croatian: dočekati
Czech: vítat
Danish: byde velkommen
Dutch: verwelkomen
European Spanish: dar la bienvenida
Finnish: toivottaa tervetulleeksi
French: accueillir
German: begrüßen
Greek: καλωσορίζω
Italian: accogliere
Japanese: 歓迎する
Korean: 환영하다
Norwegian: ønske velkommen
Polish: powitać
European Portuguese: dar as boas-vindas
Romanian: a întâmpina
Russian: приветствовать
Latin American Spanish: dar la bienvenida
Swedish: välkomna
Thai: ต้อนรับ
Turkish: karşılamak
Ukrainian: вітати
Vietnamese: tiếp đón
British English: welcome ADJECTIVE
If you describe something as welcome, you mean that people wanted it and are happy that it has occurred.
This was certainly a welcome change of fortune.
American English: welcome
Brazilian Portuguese: bem-vindo
Chinese: 受欢迎的
European Spanish: bienvenido
French: bienvenu
German: willkommen
Italian: benvenuto
Japanese: 喜ばしい
Korean: 환영받는
European Portuguese: bem-vindo
Latin American Spanish: bienvenido
British English: welcome! /ˈwɛlkəm/ INTERJECTION
You say `Welcome!' when you are greeting someone who has just arrived somewhere.
American English: welcome!
Arabic: مَرْحَباً
Brazilian Portuguese: bem-vindo!
Chinese: 欢迎光临！
Croatian: dobrodošli!
Czech: vítejte!
Danish: velkommen
Dutch: welkom!
European Spanish: ¡Bienvenido!
Finnish: tervetuloa!
French: bienvenue !
German: willkommen!
Greek: καλωσορίσατε!
Italian: benvenuto!
Japanese: ようこそ！
Korean: 환영! 인사
Norwegian: velkommen!
Polish: serdecznie witamy!
European Portuguese: bem-vindo!
Romanian: bun venit!
Russian: добро пожаловать!
Latin American Spanish: ¡Bienvenido!
Swedish: välkommen!
Thai: ยินดีต้อนรับ
Turkish: hoş geldiniz!
Ukrainian: ласкаво просимо!
Vietnamese: hoan nghênh!
All related terms of 'welcome'
bid welcome
to receive with cordial greetings
welcome mat
a doormat
welcome bonus
A bonus is something good that you get in addition to something else, and which you would not usually expect .
welcome guest
A guest is someone who is visiting you or is at an event because you have invited them.
Welcome Wagon
a welcoming service that provides information about a community to new residents
hero's welcome
a very enthusiastic reception from a group of people who show their admiration for something good that you have done
welcome relief
If something provides relief from pain or distress , it stops the pain or distress.
welcome respite
A respite is a short period of rest from something unpleasant .
you're welcome
You say ' You're welcome ' to someone who has thanked you for something in order to acknowledge their thanks in a polite way .
welcome arrivals
You can refer to someone who has just arrived at a place as a new arrival .
welcome reminder
Something that serves as a reminder of another thing makes you think about the other thing.
make sb welcome
If you make someone welcome or make them feel welcome, you make them feel happy and accepted in a new place.
donations are welcome
A donation is something which someone gives to a charity or other organization.
outstay one's welcome
to stay (at a party, on a visit , etc) longer than pleases the host or hostess
overstay one's welcome
to stay (at a party, on a visit, etc) longer than pleases the host or hostess
welcome the announcement
An announcement is a statement made to the public or to the media which gives information about something that has happened or that will happen.
welcome the appointment
The appointment of a person to a particular job is the choice of that person to do it.
wear out one's welcome
to come more often or stay longer than is acceptable or pleasing
welcome the opportunity to
An opportunity is a situation in which it is possible for you to do something that you want to do.
to outstay your welcome to overstay your welcome
If you say that someone outstays their welcome or overstays their welcome , you mean that they stay somewhere longer than they are wanted or expected to.