Welcome vs. Welcoming: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 2, 2023
A greeting or expression of approval. Demonstrating openness or friendliness to newcomers.
Key Differences
"Welcome" operates as a verb, noun, or adjective in various contexts, spanning greetings to expressions of approval. Alternatively, "welcoming" functions as an adjective, typifying an atmosphere, demeanor, or environment that exhibits friendliness toward newcomers.
"Welcome" implies greeting someone or accepting something gladly, often serving as a standard salutation. In contrast, "welcoming" always relates to generating a friendly, warm, or accepting atmosphere, embracing newcomers or ideas with open arms.
When employed as an adjective, "welcome" elucidates something being accepted with pleasure, as in a “welcome distraction.” On the opposite end, "welcoming" underscores an individual's or setting's friendly and open nature, never straying from an adjectival role.
"Welcome" can extend beyond person-to-person interactions, encompassing acceptability of things or circumstances. However, "welcoming" remains tightly bound to describing a friendly, open aura, directed towards newcomers or unfamiliar entities.
"Welcome" possesses flexibility, its usage navigating through greetings ("You're welcome"), acceptability ("A welcome change"), or an invite ("Welcome to join"). "Welcoming," however, remains steadfast in its descriptor of a friendly, receptive demeanor or environment.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Can be a verb, noun, or adjective.
Strictly an adjective.
Usage Context
Expansive, covering greetings to acceptability.
Primarily describes a friendly and open atmosphere.
Acceptance
Can denote acceptance of things or situations.
Primarily revolves around being receptive to entities.
Applicability
Applies to situations, things, and entities.
Chiefly applies to demeanor or atmosphere toward entities.
Invitations
Can be utilized in direct invitations.
Does not function in direct invitations.
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Welcome and Welcoming Definitions
Welcome
"Welcome" as a greeting.
His hearty Welcome! warmed our hearts.
Welcoming
"Welcoming" to describe kindly acceptance.
The team was very welcoming of the new member.
Welcome
"Welcome" referring to gladly receiving.
The rain was a welcome relief.
Welcoming
"Welcoming" illustrating cordiality.
The welcoming committee greeted new students.
Welcome
"Welcome" as an offered hospitality.
A welcome was extended to the delegates.
Welcoming
"Welcoming" to describe a friendly environment.
The room had a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Welcome
Received with pleasure and hospitality into one's company or home
A welcome guest.
Welcoming
"Welcoming" signifying congeniality.
The scent of fresh flowers made the room welcoming.
Welcome
Giving pleasure or satisfaction; agreeable or gratifying
A welcome respite from hard work.
Welcoming
Received with pleasure and hospitality into one's company or home
A welcome guest.
Welcome
Cordially or willingly permitted or invited
You are welcome to join us.
Welcoming
Giving pleasure or satisfaction; agreeable or gratifying
A welcome respite from hard work.
Welcome
Used in the expression you're welcome to acknowledge an expression of gratitude.
Welcoming
Cordially or willingly permitted or invited
You are welcome to join us.
Welcome
A cordial greeting or hospitable reception given to an arriving person.
Welcoming
Used in the expression you're welcome to acknowledge an expression of gratitude.
Welcome
A reception upon arrival
Gave the stranger an unfriendly welcome.
Welcoming
A cordial greeting or hospitable reception given to an arriving person.
Welcome
The state of being welcome
Don't overstay your welcome.
Welcoming
A reception upon arrival
Gave the stranger an unfriendly welcome.
Welcome
To greet, receive, or entertain (another or others) cordially or hospitably.
Welcoming
The state of being welcome
Don't overstay your welcome.
Welcome
To receive or accept gladly
Would welcome a little privacy.
Welcoming
To greet, receive, or entertain (another or others) cordially or hospitably.
Welcome
Used to greet cordially a visitor or recent arrival.
Welcoming
To receive or accept gladly
Would welcome a little privacy.
Welcome
Whose arrival is a cause of joy; received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house, entertainment, or company.
A welcome visitor
Refugees welcome to education!
Welcoming
Used to greet cordially a visitor or recent arrival.
Welcome
Producing gladness.
A welcome present;
Welcome news
Welcoming
Hospitable, accessible and cordial.
Welcome
Free to have or enjoy gratuitously.
You are welcome to the use of my library.
Welcoming
Present participle of welcome
Welcome
Greeting given upon someone's arrival.
Welcoming
An act of giving welcome.
Welcome
The act of greeting someone’s arrival, especially by saying "Welcome!"; reception.
Welcoming
Very cordial;
A welcoming smile
Welcome
The utterance of such a greeting.
Welcoming
"Welcoming" as displaying open receptiveness.
Her welcoming smile made us feel at home.
Welcome
Kind reception of a guest or newcomer.
We entered the house and found a ready welcome.
Welcome
The state of being a welcome guest.
Welcome
To affirm or greet the arrival of someone, especially by saying "Welcome!".
Welcome
To accept something willingly or gladly.
We welcome suggestions for improvement.
Welcome
Received with gladness; admitted willingly to the house, entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor.
When the glad soul is made Heaven's welcome guest.
Welcome
Producing gladness; grateful; as, a welcome present; welcome news.
Welcome
Free to have or enjoy gratuitously; as, you are welcome to the use of my library.
Welcome
Salutation to a newcomer.
Welcome
Kind reception of a guest or newcomer; as, we entered the house and found a ready welcome.
His warmest welcome at an inn.
Truth finds an entrance and a welcome too.
To thee and thy company I bidA hearty welcome.
Welcome
To salute with kindness, as a newcomer; to receive and entertain hospitably and cheerfully; as, to welcome a visitor; to welcome a new idea.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,And welcome thee, and wish thee long.
Welcome
The state of being welcome;
Don't outstay your welcome
Welcome
A greeting or reception;
The proposal got a warm welcome
Welcome
Accept gladly;
I welcome your proposals
Welcome
Bid welcome to; greet upon arrival
Welcome
Receive someone, as into one's house
Welcome
Giving pleasure or satisfaction or received with pleasure or freely granted;
A welcome relief
A welcome guest
Made the children feel welcome
You are welcome to join us
Welcome
"Welcome" as acceptance.
Your suggestions are always welcome.
Welcome
"Welcome" as an acknowledgment of thanks.
“Thank you for the gift!” “You’re welcome!”
FAQs
Can "welcome" be used as an adjective?
Yes, it can describe something that's pleasing or accepted, e.g., "A welcome relief."
What does "welcome" mean as a noun?
As a noun, it refers to a greeting given to someone upon their arrival.
Is it "you're welcome" or "your welcome"?
It's "you're welcome," a response to a thank you.
How is "welcome" pronounced?
It's pronounced as /ˈwɛlkəm/.
Is "welcome aboard" only used for boats or ships?
No, it's a figurative phrase that can be used to greet newcomers in any context.
Is "welcome" a noun or a verb?
"Welcome" can be a noun, verb, or adjective, depending on its use.
How do you define "welcoming" as an adjective?
As an adjective, it describes something friendly or hospitable, e.g., "a welcoming smile."
Can you provide a synonym for "welcoming" (adjective)?
Yes, "hospitable" is a synonym.
How do you use "welcome" as a verb?
As a verb, it means to greet or receive someone, e.g., "They welcomed the guests warmly."
Can "welcome" indicate approval?
Yes, e.g., "Any suggestions are welcome."
Is "welcoming" an adjective or a verb?
"Welcoming" can be both an adjective and the present participle of the verb "welcome."
How is "welcoming" used as a verb?
As a verb, it's the continuous form of "welcome," e.g., "She is welcoming the guests."
How do you use "welcoming" in a sentence as an adjective?
"The teacher had a welcoming attitude towards all students."
Is "welcoming" a common word in English?
Yes, it's commonly used to describe friendly and hospitable receptions or atmospheres.
How do you use "welcome" in a sentence as a noun?
"The warm welcome made her feel at home."
Is "welcome" related to hospitality?
Yes, it often implies a hospitable or friendly reception.
How is "welcoming" pronounced?
It's pronounced as /ˈwɛlkəmɪŋ/.
Does "welcoming" imply a friendly demeanor?
Yes, it often suggests warmth and friendliness.
Can a place be described as "welcoming"?
Yes, e.g., "The room had a welcoming ambiance."
Is "welcoming committee" a recognized phrase?
Yes, it refers to a group of people designated to greet or introduce newcomers.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
