1. a person who is new to a particular activity or environment and lacks experience
Usage: informal
2. a person new to life in the American West or to outdoor activities like camping
Usage: historical; Western U.S.

Examples

• The hiking guide was patient with the tenderfoot who had never been on a trail before.
• As a tenderfoot in the office, she asked lots of questions during her first week.
• The cowboys laughed at the tenderfoot’s fancy boots and clean clothes.
• Don’t worry about making mistakes – every expert was once a tenderfoot.
• The camp counselor helped the tenderfoot learn how to start a campfire.
• He felt like a tenderfoot trying to keep up with the experienced climbers.