I. ˈwelkəm, ˈweu̇k- interjection
Etymology: Middle English, alteration (influenced by wel well) of wilcume, from Old English wilcuma, wilcume, from wilcuma desirable guest; akin to Old High German willicomo desirable guest; probably both from a prehistoric West Germanic compound whose constituents are represented by Old English will, willa will, wish and Old English cuma guest; akin to Old English cuman to come — more at well , will , come
— used to express a greeting of pleasure or goodwill or a cordial salutation to a guest or newcomer upon his arrival
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English welcomen, alteration (influenced by wel well) of wilcumen, from Old English wilcumian, from wilcuma, interjection, welcome & wilcuma, n., desirable guest
1. : to greet (as a visitor) with courtesy or cordiality : receive hospitably and gladly : give a friendly reception to : make welcome
ran … to welcome them at the door — J.C.Powys
they welcomed the travelers home
2. : to greet or receive with something especially of an unpleasant nature
they welcomed the intruder with a hail of bullets
3.
a. : to greet heartily or joyfully
welcomed his arrival from abroad
b. : to greet with pleasure the coming or occurrence of : accept with an expression of pleasure
no mariner … welcomes rough water — S.E.Morison
those who deplore and those who welcome the change — John Strachey
the society welcomes applications from interested persons
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, alteration (influenced by wel well) of wilcume desirable guest, from Old English wilcuma
1. : received gladly into one's presence or companionship : admitted willingly to the company, house, or entertainment : highly acceptable as a visitor or companion
a welcome guest
visitors are always welcome here
2. : giving pleasure : highly acceptable, agreeable, or pleasing : received with gladness or delight especially in response to a need or desire
revivals offered welcome interludes in pioneer life — American Guide Series: Minnesota
the sight of the island was right welcome — Herman Melville
providing an easy and welcome solution of an … awkward problem — W.L.Sperry
3. : freely or willingly permitted : cordially invited
he was welcome to come and go — W.M.Thackeray
4. — used in the phrase, “You're welcome” as a reply to an expression of thanks
Synonyms: see pleasant
IV. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a cordial, kindly, pleasant, or hearty greeting or reception given to one (as a guest, newcomer, or stranger) usually upon arrival
to thee and thy company I bid a hearty welcome — Shakespeare
a packed house … roared a three-minute welcome — Current Biography
the welcome he received justified his visit — A.R.Forde
b. : a greeting or reception resembling such an act of welcoming but having a different nature usually of a specified kind
our men gave the enemy a hot welcome — Bill Alcine
the delegation received a rather cool welcome
2. : the action of welcoming or of saluting or treating as welcome : hearty or hospitable reception (as of a stranger or guest)
bore the means of goodly welcome , flesh and wine — Alfred Tennyson