- [countable, uncountable] something that you do or say to somebody when they arrive, especially something that makes them feel you are happy to see them
- to get/receive a welcome
- Thank you for your warm welcome.
- The winners were given an enthusiastic welcome when they arrived home.
- He returned to a hero’s welcome.
- a speech/smile of welcome
- She was asked to say a few words of welcome.
- I wish to extend a very warm welcome to the team.
- welcome to something It was a nice welcome to a strange new city.
Extra Examples- A big welcome to our special guest, James Greenan.
- A warm welcome awaits you at this family-run hotel.
- She got a hero's welcome on her return from the Olympics.
- She held out her arms in welcome.
- Thank you for those words of welcome.
- The audience gave the band a rousing welcome.
- They received a cold welcome to their new home.
- Ellen received a hero's welcome on returning to her home town.
- Her wrinkled face broke into a smile of welcome.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- enthusiastic
- friendly
- …
- get
- receive
- extend
- …
- await somebody
- in welcome
- welcome from
- welcome to
- …
- words of welcome
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- [countable] the way that people react to something, which shows their opinion of it
- This new comedy deserves a warm welcome.
- The proposals were given a cautious welcome by the trade unions.
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumentc2- The proposals have been given a broad welcome by green campaigners.
- The proposal received a cautious welcome from the Opposition.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- enthusiastic
- friendly
- …
- get
- receive
- extend
- …
- await somebody
- in welcome
- welcome from
- welcome to
- …
- words of welcome
Word OriginOld English wilcuma ‘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.
Idioms
See welcome in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionaryoutstay/overstay your welcome
- to stay somewhere as a guest longer than you are wanted
- Sensing that he had outstayed his welcome, he quickly said his goodbyes and left.
Check pronunciation:
welcome