welcome

wel|come1 [ `welkəm ] verb transitive ***

to greet someone in a polite and friendly way when they have come to see you or help you:

warmly welcome (=with enthusiasm): Visitors will be warmly welcomed.

welcome someone/something with open arms (=with enthusiasm): My aunt and uncle welcomed us with open arms.

a. to say that you approve of something that has happened or that you are pleased about it:

They welcomed the new proposals.

The move has been welcomed by environmentalists.

The announcement will be widely welcomed (=welcomed by many people).

welcome something as something: The president welcomed the accord as a step toward political stability.

b. to say that you are pleased to accept or consider something such as an opportunity or a question:

We welcome suggestions from our readers.

The faculty welcomes prospective students wishing to visit departments.

c. to celebrate an event:

Fireworks welcomed the New Year in Moscow's Red Square.

welcome

wel|come 2 [ `welkəm ] adjective **

1. ) if you are welcome or a welcome visitor at a place, people are pleased that you are there:

Your friends are always welcome here.

Pat was a very welcome guest.

make someone welcome: It's a beautiful place you will be made very welcome.

a ) if something is welcome, people are happy about it because it is pleasant or because they need it:

The early flowers are a welcome sight.

The sunny weather was a welcome bonus.

A cold drink would be very welcome.

welcome to: This year's bonus will be welcome to those on lower incomes.

2. ) if someone tells you that you are welcome to do something, they are saying that you may do it if you want to:

Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.

You're more than welcome to stay overnight.

a ) if someone tells you that you are welcome to something, they mean that you can have it or use it, usually because they do not want it or do not like it themselves:

Flying you're welcome to it as far as I'm concerned (=I do not want to do it).

You're welcome

used in reply to someone who has thanked you

welcome

wel|come 3 [ `welkəm ] noun **

1. ) count or uncount an act of welcoming or greeting someone:

They received a tumultuous welcome.

The mayor said some words of welcome (=made a short speech to welcome people).

a warm welcome (=an especially friendly welcome): He gave us a warm welcome and invited us to lunch.

in welcome: He held his hand out in welcome.

2. ) count a reaction to a suggestion or decision:

The proposal received an enthusiastic welcome.

Politicians gave a cautious welcome to the appointment (=were pleased by it but not completely satisfied).

outstay/overstay your welcome

to stay at a place for longer than people want:

It was time to go, before we outstayed our welcome.

welcome

wel|come 4 [ `welkəm ] interjection

used for welcoming someone to a place:

Welcome to Springfield.

a. used at the beginning of a radio or television program:

Welcome to the show.