fledgling

Recently started and beginning to grow or become established.

• Their fledgling business needs support.
• Investment helped the fledgling industry grow.
• The agreement strengthened the country's fledgling democracy.

Similar words: emerging, developing, new

Opposites: established

Common phrases: fledgling business, fledgling democracy, fledgling industry

New to an activity and still learning how to do it well.

• She is a fledgling writer.
• The course gives fledgling pilots valuable practice.
• Even fledgling journalists should check their sources.

Similar words: inexperienced, novice, untried

Opposites: experienced

Common phrases: fledgling writer, fledgling actor, fledgling pilot

A young bird that has grown the feathers it needs to start flying.

• A fledgling sat on the branch.
• The parents brought food to their fledglings.
• This fledgling has feathers but cannot fly well yet.

Common phrases: young fledgling, feed a fledgling, fledgling robin

A person who has little experience and is still learning.

• I was a fledgling then.
• Experienced reporters helped the fledglings in the newsroom.
• Even a political fledgling could see the problem.

Similar words: beginner, novice, newcomer

Opposites: expert

Common phrases: mere fledgling, political fledgling, fledgling in something

An insect that has just changed into its adult form.

• The fledgling's wings were still soft.
• We watched a dragonfly fledgling beside the pond.
• These fledglings have just shed their last immature skins.

Common phrases: dragonfly fledgling, newly emerged fledgling