wel·come (wĕl'kəm)
adj.

1. Received with pleasure and hospitality into one's company or home: a welcome guest.
2. Giving pleasure or satisfaction; agreeable or gratifying: a welcome respite from hard work.
3. Cordially or willingly permitted or invited: You are welcome to join us.
4. Used in the expression you're welcome to acknowledge an expression of gratitude.

n.

1. A cordial greeting or hospitable reception given to an arriving person.
2. A reception upon arrival: gave the stranger an unfriendly welcome.
3. The state of being welcome: Don't overstay your welcome.

tr.v., -comed, -com·ing, -comes.

1. To greet, receive, or entertain (another or others) cordially or hospitably.
2. To receive or accept gladly: would welcome a little privacy.

interj.
Used to greet cordially a visitor or recent arrival.

idiom:

wear out (one's) welcome

1. To visit so often or stay so long as to become a nuisance.

[Middle English, alteration (influenced by wel, well) of Old English wilcuma, welcome guest, welcome.]

welcomely wel'come·ly adv.
welcomeness wel'come·ness n.
welcomer wel'com·er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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