welcome

wel|come¹ W2S3 [ˈwelkəm] v [T]

1.) to say hello in a friendly way to someone who has just arrived

= ↑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.

welcome ²

welcome² W3S2 adj

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 sth

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 sth

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.'

welcome ³

welcome³ n [singular]

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

welcome ⁴

welcome⁴ interjection

[: 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 .