welcome
welcome — verb
1. to show pleasure at a person's arrival by meeting them with kind words or friend
to show pleasure at a person's arrival by meeting them with kind words or friendly actions, especially as a host or hostess.
Paloma stood at the door to welcome the dinner guests with a warm smile.
welcome + person + with + noun phrase
The school principal welcomed the new students on their first morning of classes.
Anjali's grandmother welcomed the whole family into her small kitchen for tea.
The hotel staff welcomed tired travelers with cold drinks and a map of the city.
文法句型
welcome + person
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive: 'Visitors are welcomed by staff at the entrance.' Often followed by 'with' (welcomed with a smile/flowers) or 'into' (welcomed into the home).
常見錯誤
2. to react with pleasure to a new idea, change, or event, showing that you support
to react with pleasure to a new idea, change, or event, showing that you support it and are glad it is happening.
Indra welcomed the decision to reduce class sizes at her school.
welcome + decision/plan/idea (abstract object)
The mayor welcomed the plan to build more public parks across the city.
Most families welcomed the extra holiday that the government announced.
Christopher welcomed the chance to lead the community gardening project.
文法句型
welcome + noun phrase
用法筆記
Object is nearly always an abstract thing — a decision, plan, change, opportunity, or development. Not used for welcoming a person in this sense.
常見錯誤
welcome — adjective
1. describing a person who is received with pleasure and made to feel wanted in a p
describing a person who is received with pleasure and made to feel wanted in a particular place or group.
The new students were made to feel welcome on their first day of school.
made to feel welcome — passive pattern for received status
New members are always welcome at the weekend hiking club meetings.
Every visitor, young or old, is welcome at the annual village harvest festival.
Yara felt welcome in the art group from her very first class.
- unwelcome
describing someone whose presence is not wanted
文法句型
person + be + welcome + (to place)
用法筆記
Often used in fixed phrases like 'make someone feel welcome' and 'you're welcome to (do something/place).' When used before a noun (e.g., 'a welcome guest'), it describes the visitor's status.
常見錯誤
2. describing actions, words, or a general atmosphere that shows someone is pleased
describing actions, words, or a general atmosphere that shows someone is pleased another person is present and wants them to feel comfortable.
The small village gave the travelers a very welcoming reception.
gave + person + a welcoming + noun — atmosphere/action pattern
A welcome mat and a vase of fresh flowers greeted visitors at the front door.
The committee prepared a welcome packet with information for each new member.
Tunde found the office atmosphere warm and welcoming from his first day.
- hospitable
more formal, often about hosts providing food/shelter
- friendly
broader — not specific to receiving visitors
- unwelcoming
cold or hostile atmosphere toward visitors
文法句型
make + person + feel + welcome
welcoming + noun
用法筆記
Commonly appears as the -ing modifier 'welcoming' (e.g., 'a welcoming smile'). Distinguish from Adj/1: Adj/2 describes the action or gesture that creates a friendly atmosphere, not the person's status as wanted.
常見錯誤
3. describing something that gives pleasure or satisfaction, often because it comes
describing something that gives pleasure or satisfaction, often because it comes at a good time or meets a need.
A cool breeze was a welcome relief after the hot afternoon sun.
welcome relief — common fixed phrase
News of the promotion came as a welcome surprise to Wei.
welcome surprise — common phrase
A warm cup of tea is always welcome on a cold rainy evening at home.
The extra funding was a welcome boost for the struggling local library.
- pleasing
general term for giving satisfaction
- appreciated
emphasizes gratitude for something needed
- agreeable
slightly formal, describes mild pleasantness
- unwelcome
not wanted or desirable at this time
文法句型
be + welcome + (to person)
a welcome + noun
用法筆記
Often used before a noun to form common fixed pairs: 'welcome relief,' 'welcome break,' 'welcome change,' 'welcome addition.' The adjective describes the thing itself, not the person.
常見錯誤
4. said to let another person know they are freely allowed to do what they wish, wi
said to let another person know they are freely allowed to do what they wish, with your full approval.
You are welcome to borrow any book from my personal library.
be + welcome + to + verb (permission pattern)
Students are welcome to use the computer lab until nine o'clock in the evening.
Visitors are welcome to take photos inside the museum, but no flash is allowed.
Anyone who wants to join is welcome to come to the meeting on Thursday night.
- free to
more general; 'free to' can be neutral, while 'welcome to' is friendly
- permitted to
more formal, less warm in tone
文法句型
person + be + welcome + to + verb
用法筆記
Only used in the pattern 'someone + be + welcome + to + verb.' This sense never appears directly before a noun (not 'a welcome person to borrow books'). Do not confuse with Adj/1 — this sense grants permission, not describes a person's status.
常見錯誤
welcome — noun
1. the way a person is greeted and treated when they arrive at a place, especially
the way a person is greeted and treated when they arrive at a place, especially the friendliness or warmth shown to them.
The team gave the new coach a warm welcome at the training ground.
give + person + a + adjective + welcome
A banner saying 'Welcome Home' hung across the front gate.
The welcome from the local community was far warmer than the family expected.
Brandon received a welcome as cold as the winter air outside the office.
- reception
broader term — can describe any kind of receiving, not just friendly
- greeting
focuses on the initial words or actions at arrival
- salutation
very formal, mostly in written contexts
- snub
deliberate cold treatment upon arrival
文法句型
give + person + a + welcome
receive + a + welcome
用法筆記
Commonly paired with adjectives describing the quality: 'warm welcome,' 'cold welcome,' 'enthusiastic welcome.' Often used in the verb phrase 'give someone a (adjective) welcome.'
常見錯誤
2. used in fixed expressions meaning that someone stays in a place or keeps doing s
used in fixed expressions meaning that someone stays in a place or keeps doing something for too long, so that the person who invited them no longer wants them there.
Sophia stayed until midnight and worried she had outstayed her welcome.
outstay one's welcome — fixed idiom
After three weeks at his cousin's apartment, Jason had worn out his welcome.
wear out one's welcome — fixed idiom
The guest did not notice he had outstayed his welcome at the weekend party.
Talking too loudly each day at the quiet cafe, the group wore out their welcome.
文法句型
outstay/wear out + one's + welcome
用法筆記
Almost always appears in one of two fixed verb phrases: 'outstay one's welcome' or 'wear out one's welcome.' The possessive (my/your/his/her/their) is required. Not used outside these patterns.
常見錯誤
3. the way people react to a new idea, suggestion, plan, or event, especially the l
the way people react to a new idea, suggestion, plan, or event, especially the level of approval or disapproval they show.
The proposal received a mixed welcome from the town council members.
mixed welcome — describing divided reaction
The president's speech got a cool welcome from the opposition party.
cool welcome — negative reaction
The new bus route was given a cautious welcome by local shop owners.
Mia's suggestion for a recycling program met with an enthusiastic welcome from staff.
文法句型
a + adjective + welcome
get/receive/meet with + a + welcome
用法筆記
Typically paired with an adjective describing the type of reaction (mixed, cool, cautious, enthusiastic, lukewarm). Unlike Noun/1 (which is about greeting a person), this sense is always about reactions to ideas or proposals.
常見錯誤
welcome — exclamation
1. an exclamation spoken to someone who has just arrived, showing happiness at thei
an exclamation spoken to someone who has just arrived, showing happiness at their presence.
Welcome, Nkechi! Please come in and make yourself comfortable.
standalone exclamation with named addressee
Welcome to our neighborhood! said Mrs. Lin with a friendly wave.
Welcome back, Takeshi! We missed you while you were away.
Welcome to the team! I am sure you will enjoy working with us.
文法句型
Welcome + to + place
Welcome back/home