Recruit — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ri-ˈkrüt/ re·cruit

Meaning & Definition of Recruit

Recruit (verb)

  1. to fill up the number of with new members, reinforce
  2. to enlist as a member of an armed service
  3. to increase or maintain the number of

Recruit (noun)

  1. a fresh or additional supply
  2. a newcomer to a field or activity; specifically, a newly enlisted or drafted member of the armed forces
  3. a former enlisted man of the lowest rank in the army

Recruit (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to provide with a paying job

    "thousands of recent immigrants were recruited to build the nation's rail system"

    similar: assume, employ, engage, fee (chiefly Scottish), hire, lay on (chiefly British), pay, place, retain, sign (up or on), take on
    related: reemploy, reengage, rehire, apprentice, contract, job, partner, subcontract, enlist, advance, promote, upgrade, keep (on), headhunt, scout
    opposite: ax, can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack
    near: furlough, lay off, lock out

Recruit (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who is just starting out in a field of activity

    "the skydiving instructor and other experienced jumpers tried to encourage the new recruits on their first jump"

    similar: abecedarian, apprentice, babe, beginner, colt, cub, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, novitiate, punk, rook, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro, virgin
    related: boot, amateur, dabbler, dilettante, learner, student, trainee, candidate, entrant, probationer
    opposite: old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran
    near: expert, master, pro, professional

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Recruit

The most common words with a similar meaning to Recruit:

Chiefly Scottish: fee
Chiefly British: lay on
assume, employ, engage, hire, pay, place, retain, sign (up or on), take on, abecedarian, apprentice, babe, beginner, colt, cub, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, novitiate, punk, rook, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro, virgin

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Recruit

Words with the opposite meaning of Recruit:

ax, can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack, old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran

Related Words for Recruit

reemploy, reengage, rehire, contract, job, partner, subcontract, enlist, advance, promote, upgrade, keep (on), headhunt, scout, boot, amateur, dabbler, dilettante, learner, student, trainee, candidate, entrant, probationer

Near Antonyms of Recruit

furlough, lay off, lock out, expert, master, pro, professional

Word Forms of Recruit

Inflections: recruited, recruiting, recruits

Derived words: recruiter (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Recruit

French recrute, recrue fresh growth, new levy of soldiers, from Middle French, from recroistre to grow up again, from Latin recrescere, from re- + crescere to grow crescent

First known use: 1642t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Recruit

Words & Phrases Containing Recruit

seaman recruit

Frequently Asked Questions about Recruit

What does "Recruit" mean?

"Recruit" means to fill up the number of with new members, reinforce. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to fill up the number of with new members, reinforce. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Recruit"?

Other words for "Recruit" include assume, employ, engage, fee, hire, lay on, pay and place. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Recruit" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Recruit"?

There are 55 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Recruit". Common alternatives include assume, employ, engage, fee, hire, lay on, pay, place, retain and sign (up or on).

What is the opposite of "Recruit"?

Antonyms of "Recruit" include ax, can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack, old hand and old-timer. Near antonyms include furlough, lay off, lock out and expert.

How do you use "Recruit" in a sentence?

Examples of "Recruit" in a sentence: "thousands of recent immigrants were recruited to build the nation's rail system"; "the skydiving instructor and other experienced jumpers tried to encourage the new recruits on their first jump".

Is "Recruit" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Recruit" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Recruit" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Recruit" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Recruit"?

"Recruit" is pronounced /ri-ˈkrüt/ and divided into syllables as re·cruit.