debutant
debutant Lexical Profile
debutant Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person making their first public or professional appearance, especially in sports, theater, or the arts.
"The teenage debutant scored the winning goal in his first match for the national team."
• adjective
Making a first public or professional appearance in a specific role, sport, or artistic field.
"The debutant director received widespread critical acclaim at the international film festival."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'debutant' can refer to any person making a first public or professional appearance (especially in sports or the arts), the feminine form 'debutante' specifically denotes a young woman making her formal introduction into high society.
• Rhymes for debutant
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 19th century from French 'débutant', the present participle of 'débuter' ('to make a first stroke at billiards or bowls, to lead off'), derived from 'but' ('goal, mark, or target').