(a word of kindly greeting, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure): Welcome, stranger!
–noun
2.
a kindly greeting or reception, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure: to give someone a warm welcome.
–verb (used with object)
3.
to greet the arrival of (a person, guests, etc.) with pleasure or kindly courtesy.
4.
to receive or accept with pleasure; regard as pleasant or good: to welcome a change.
5.
to meet, accept, or receive (an action, challenge, person, etc.) in a specified, esp. unfriendly, manner: They welcomed him with hisses and catcalls.
–adjective
6.
gladly received, as one whose arrival gives pleasure: a welcome visitor.
7.
agreeable, as something arriving, occurring, or experienced: a welcome rest.
8.
given full right by the cordial consent of others: She is welcome to try it.
9.
without obligation for the courtesy or favor received (used as a conventional response to expressions of thanks): You're quite welcome.
—Idiom
10.
wear out one's welcome, to make one's visits so frequent or of such long duration that they become offensive: Your cousins have long since worn out their welcome.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME < Scand; cf. ON velkominn, equiv. to velwell1+ kominncome(ptp.); r. OE wilcuma one who is welcome, equiv. to wil- welcome (see will2) + cuma comer]
Reference: No results found in Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia and Crystal Reference Encyclopedia. Would you like to see the 477 entries in other encyclopedias, or search the Web for welcome?
![[P]](http://cache.lexico.com/g/r/premium_mh.gif){kind=small}
Audio Help [wel-kuh