welcome

If you are this, people are happy to have you with them.

• You are always welcome here.
• They made their guests feel welcome.
• Was she welcome at the club?

How to use it: be welcome somewhere (Your friends are welcome here.); make someone feel welcome (The family made me feel welcome.)

Similar words: wanted

Opposites: unwelcome

Common phrases: welcome guest, feel welcome, always welcome

Making people happy because it is useful, pleasant, or needed.

• That is welcome news.
• The rain brought welcome relief from the heat.
• A quiet evening was a welcome change.

Similar words: pleasing, pleasant

Opposites: unwelcome

Common phrases: welcome news, welcome change, welcome relief

Allowed to have, use, or do something, without paying or asking again.

• You are welcome to some cake.
• Everyone is welcome to use the kitchen.
• You are welcome to keep the spare chair.

How to use it: be welcome to something (You are welcome to any books on that shelf.); be welcome to do something (You are welcome to borrow my bike.)

Common phrases: welcome to something, welcome to use, welcome to stay

Said to greet someone when they arrive.

• Welcome home!
• Welcome to our little shop!
• Welcome back, everyone!

How to use it: Welcome to somewhere! (Welcome to our school!)

Common phrases: welcome back, welcome home, welcome to somewhere

To greet someone kindly when they arrive.

• We welcomed our guests.
• She welcomed me with a smile.
• The staff will welcome you at the entrance.

How to use it: welcome someone to somewhere (The teacher welcomed us to the class.)

Similar words: greet, receive

Common phrases: welcome someone home, welcome someone back, welcome guests

To be pleased about something and accept it willingly.

• We welcome your ideas.
• Residents welcomed the decision to save the park.
• I would welcome a chance to discuss this.

How to use it: welcome something (We welcome comments from all readers.)

Similar words: accept, embrace

Opposites: reject

Common phrases: welcome suggestions, welcome a change, welcome the opportunity

The way people greet someone who has just arrived.

• We received a warm welcome.
• The crowd gave the players a noisy welcome.
• Thank you for your friendly welcome.

How to use it: give someone a welcome (The villagers gave us a warm welcome.)

Similar words: reception, greeting

Common phrases: warm welcome, give a welcome, welcome for someone, friendly welcome

Words spoken to greet someone when they arrive.

• Her welcome was brief.
• He began with a cheerful welcome to everyone.
• We heard the same welcome in three languages.

How to use it: welcome to someone (The host spoke a brief welcome to the guests.)

Similar words: greeting

Common phrases: say a welcome, brief welcome, welcome to someone