welcome
[verb]
Synonyms:
- greet, embrace, hail, meet, receive
[noun]
Synonyms:
- greeting, acceptance, hospitality, reception, salutation
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- acceptable, agreeable, appreciated, delightful, desirable, gratifying, pleasant, refreshing
- free, under no obligation

---

Antonyms: unwelcome
Related Words: congenial, cordial, genial, sympathetic, contenting, satisfying

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. wel‧come¹ S2 W2 /ˈwelkəm/ verb [transitive]
[Word Family: adjective: welcome ≠ unwelcome, welcoming; verb: welcome; noun: welcome]

1. to say hello in a friendly way to someone who has just arrived Synonym : greet:
I must be there to welcome my guests.
They welcomed us warmly.
His family welcomed me with open arms (=in a very friendly way).

2. to be glad to accept something:
The college welcomes applications from people of all races.
We would welcome any advice or suggestions with open arms.

3. to be glad that something has happened because you think it is a good idea:
Economists have welcomed the decision to raise interest rates.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. welcome² S2 W3 adjective
[Word Family: adjective: welcome ≠ unwelcome, welcoming; verb: welcome; noun: welcome]

1. if someone is welcome in a place, other people are glad that they are there:
I had the feeling I wasn’t really welcome.
I didn’t feel welcome in the club.
Mary made us very welcome.
We try to make the new students feel welcome.

2. if something is welcome, you enjoy it because you feel that you need it:
The weekend was a welcome break from the pressures of work.
Six months in Scotland would make a welcome change from London.
A cup of tea would be very welcome.

3. if something is welcome, you are glad that it has happened:
The increase in interest rates is welcome news for investors.
This new funding will come as a welcome boost for the industry.

4. be welcome to something spoken used to say that someone can have something if they want it, because you certainly do not want it:
If you want to take the job you’re welcome to it!

5. be welcome to do something spoken used to invite someone to do something if they would like to:
You’re welcome to stay for lunch.

6. you’re welcome! spoken a polite way of replying to someone who has just thanked you for something:
‘Thanks for the coffee.’ ‘You’re welcome.’

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

III. welcome³ noun [singular]
[Word Family: adjective: welcome ≠ unwelcome, welcoming; verb: welcome; noun: welcome]

1. the way in which you greet someone when they arrive at a place
warm/friendly welcome
His colleagues gave him a very warm welcome when he returned to work.
You can be sure of a friendly welcome at all our hotels.
The president got a tremendous welcome at the airport.

2. the way in which people react to an idea, and show that they like it or do not like it:
Politicians have given an enthusiastic welcome to the Queen’s speech.
The proposals have so far received a cautious welcome from government ministers.

3. outstay/overstay your welcome to stay at someone’s house longer than they want you to

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

IV. welcome⁴ interjection
[Language: Old English; Origin: wilcume, from wilcuma 'person you are glad to have as a guest', from willa ( ⇒ will²) + cuma 'someone who comes'; influenced by well]
used to greet someone who has just arrived
welcome to
Welcome to London!
Welcome back – it’s good to see you again.
Hello, welcome home.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

welcome
adj.
VERBS be, feel | make sb They made us very welcome in their home.
ADV. doubly, especially, extremely, highly, more than, most, particularly, very The 1% rate cut is highly welcome. You would be a most welcome guest.
perfectly, quite You are perfectly welcome to stay here: I can't offer five-star accommodation, that's all.
not at all, not entirely He made it plain that Holman's interest in his business affairs was not at all welcome.
always Visitors are always welcome.
PREP. to New members are welcome to the club.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

welcome
noun
ADJ. big, enthusiastic, friendly, great, rapturous, rousing, special, tumultuous, warm The audience gave the band a rousing welcome.
broad, general The proposals have been given a broad welcome by green campaigners.
cautious, guarded, qualified | cool, cold, chilly | official | hero's She got a hero's welcome on her return from the Olympics.
VERB + WELCOME get, receive | extend, give sb | await A warm welcome awaits you at this family-run hotel.
outstay/overstay your Sensing that he had outstayed his welcome, he quickly said his goodbyes and left.
PREP. in ~ She held out her arms in welcome.
~ from The proposal received a cautious welcome from the Opposition.
~ to A big welcome to our special guest, Sir James Greenan. They received a cold welcome to their new home.
PHRASES a smile of welcome, a speech of welcome, words of welcome

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

welcome
verb
I. greet sb/be pleased sb has come
ADV. heartily, warmly If you visit our town you will be warmly welcomed.
formally, officially | back The whole family turned out to welcome him back.
VERB + WELCOME be delighted to, be pleased to | prepare to, wait to The school is preparing to welcome the new intake of students.
PREP. into He welcomed us into the club.
to We are delighted to welcome you to our firm.
PHRASES look forward to welcoming sb, welcome sb with open arms They welcomed the new volunteers with open arms (= with enthusiasm).

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

welcome
II. be pleased about sth and support it
ADV. enthusiastically, particularly, greatly, warmly Many companies have warmly welcomed these changes in legislation.
positively We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community.
broadly | cautiously Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative.
initially
PHRASES be generally/universally/widely welcomed The proposals have been widely welcomed.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

welcome

a warm/friendly welcome
You can be sure of a warm welcome.
a big welcome
They had planned a big welcome for Martin.
a great welcome (=a big or good welcome)
Visitors were given a great welcome.
a rapturous welcome (=a very pleased and excited one)
He returned to his homeland to a rapturous welcome in 1996
a tumultuous welcome (=a very noisy one from a crowd)
The Pope received a tumultuous welcome.
a rousing welcome (=a noisy welcome that shows approval)
The audience gave the band a rousing welcome.
a hearty welcome (=a happy and sincere welcome)
The owner offers a hearty welcome to guests.
give somebody a welcome
The Queen was given a decent welcome by the crowd.
get/receive a welcome
He received a warm welcome.
extend/accord somebody a welcome formal (=give someone a welcome)
Staff and students extended a warm welcome to visiting parents.
a smile of welcome
His wrinkled face broke into a smile of welcome.
a speech of welcome
The Mayor made a brief speech of welcome.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

welcome
verb
BAD: You can bring as many friends to the party as you like. Everyone is welcomed.
GOOD: You can bring as many friends to the party as you like. Everyone is welcome.

Usage Note:
welcome (verb) = greet a guest or visitor in a friendly way when they arrive: 'Her Royal Highness was welcomed at the airport by a party of Cabinet Ministers.'
If you are pleased when someone comes to stay at your house or comes to your party, they are welcome (adjective), (WITHOUT d) : 'You're always welcome to stay here, you know.' 'Aunt Edna always makes us feel welcome.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

welcome
ˈwelkəm
See: wear out one's welcome

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲