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   welcome

   /ˈwɛlkəm/

   noun

   • 1. an instance or manner of greeting someone: "you will receive a warm welcome"
   • ▪ a pleased or approving reaction: "the announcement received an immediate welcome from childcare agencies"

   exclamation

   • 1. used to greet someone in a polite or friendly way: "welcome to the Wildlife Park"

   verb

   • 1. greet (someone arriving) in a polite or friendly way: "hotels should welcome guests in their own language" Similar greetsay hello tosalutebid someone welcomeplay host/hostess toshow hospitality toreceivemeetembracereceive with open armsroll out the red carpet forfeteusher inOpposite shunspurn
   • ▪ be glad to entertain (someone) or receive (something): "we welcome any comments"
   • ▪ react with pleasure or approval to (an event or development): "the bank's decision to cut its rates was widely welcomed" Similar express pleasure/satisfaction atbe pleased bybe glad abouttake pleasure inapprove ofappreciateacceptembraceinformal:give the thumbs up toOpposite rejectdisapprove of

   adjective

   • 1. (of a guest or new arrival) gladly received: "I'm pleased to see you, lad—you're welcome" Similar gladly receivedwantedappreciatedpopulardesirableacceptableacceptedOpposite unwelcome
   • 2. very pleasing because much needed or desired: "after your walk, the tea room serves a welcome cuppa" Similar pleasingagreeableencouraginggratifyinghearteningpromisingrefreshingfavourablepropitiouscheeringmuch neededpleasantto one's likingto one's tasteOpposite unpleasantdisappointing
   • 3. allowed or invited to do a specified thing: "we arrange a framework of activities which you are welcome to join"
   • ▪ used to indicate relief at relinquishing the control or possession of something to someone else: "the job is all yours and you're welcome to it!"

   Word Origin Old Englishwilcuma ‘a person whose coming is pleasing’, wilcumian (verb), from wil- ‘desire, pleasure’ + cuman ‘come’. The first element was later changed to wel- ‘well’, influenced by Old French bien venu or Old Norse velkominn.

   Derivatives

   • 1. welcomely adverb
   • 2. welcomeness noun
   • 3. welcomer noun

   Scrabble Points: 14

   • W

     4

   • E

     1

   • L

     1

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • M

     3

   • E

     1

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