wel•come
Pronunciation: (wel'kum), [key]
— interj., n., v., adj. -comed, -com•ing,
—interj.
- (a word of kindly greeting, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure): Welcome, stranger!
—n.
- a kindly greeting or reception, as to one whose arrival gives pleasure: to give someone a warm 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.
—v.t.
- to greet the arrival of (a person, guests, etc.) with pleasure or kindly courtesy.
- to receive or accept with pleasure; regard as pleasant or good: to welcome a change.
- to meet, accept, or receive (an action, challenge, person, etc.) in a specified, esp. unfriendly, manner: They welcomed him with hisses and catcalls.
—adj.
- gladly received, as one whose arrival gives pleasure: a welcome visitor.
- agreeable, as something arriving, occurring, or experienced: a welcome rest.
- given full right by the cordial consent of others: She is welcome to try it.
- without obligation for the courtesy or favor received (used as a conventional response to expressions of thanks): You're quite welcome.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.