Welcome vs. Welcomed — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 24, 2023
"Welcome" is an adjective or interjection expressing a warm reception, while "welcomed" is the past tense or past participle of the verb "welcome," indicating the act of being received warmly.
Difference Between Welcome and Welcomed
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Key Differences
"Welcome" is often used as a greeting or to express approval, for example, "You are welcome here." "Welcomed" is used to describe the action of receiving someone warmly, as in "He was welcomed at the party."
As an adjective, "welcome" describes something pleasing or desired, like "A welcome break." When used as a verb in the past tense, "welcomed" indicates a completed action, as in "They welcomed the guests last night."
"Welcome" can be an interjection expressing a warm reception, such as in "Welcome!" In its past participle form, "welcomed" describes the state of having been received warmly, like "She felt welcomed by everyone."
The word "welcome" can modify nouns, for example, "welcome news," indicating something favorable. "Welcomed" is often followed by a prepositional phrase, as in "They were welcomed with open arms."
"Welcome" can also be a noun, referring to the act of greeting, such as "give someone a warm welcome." "Welcomed," as a past participle, can be used in passive constructions like "The proposal was warmly welcomed."
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective, interjection, noun
Past tense and past participle of the verb
Usage in a Sentence
"You are welcome to join."
"He was welcomed by the community."
Function
Expresses a warm reception or approval
Indicates the act of receiving someone warmly
Example as Modifier
"A welcome change."
Not applicable as a modifier
Example in Tenses
"Welcome!" (Interjection)
"She welcomed them yesterday." (Past tense)
Compare with Definitions
Welcome
A welcome is a kind of greeting designed to introduce a person to a new place or situation, and to make them feel at ease. The term can similarly be used to describe the feeling of being accepted on the part of the new person.
Welcomed
Past tense of welcoming someone.
She welcomed the guests warmly.
Welcome
An instance or manner of greeting someone
You will receive a warm welcome
He went to meet them with his hand stretched out in welcome
Welcomed
Reflecting a completed action of receiving.
The idea was welcomed by all members.
Welcome
Used to greet someone in a polite or friendly way
Welcome to the Wildlife Park
Welcomed
Past participle used in passive voice.
The news was welcomed by the community.
Welcome
Very pleasing because much needed or desired
The news will be most welcome to those whose jobs will now be safeguarded
After your walk, the tea room serves a welcome cuppa
Welcomed
Used in perfect tenses.
He has always welcomed new challenges.
Welcome
An expression of warm reception.
Welcome to our home!
Welcomed
Indicating past reception.
They were welcomed at the airport.
Welcome
Greet (someone arriving) in a polite or friendly way
Hotels should welcome guests in their own language
Welcomed
Received with pleasure and hospitality into one's company or home
A welcome guest.
Welcome
(of a guest or new arrival) gladly received
I'm pleased to see you, lad—you're welcome
Welcomed
A reception upon arrival
Gave the stranger an unfriendly welcome.
Welcome
Allowed or invited to do a specified thing
We arrange a framework of activities which you are welcome to join
Welcomed
Giving pleasure or satisfaction; agreeable or gratifying
A welcome respite from hard work.
Welcome
Received with pleasure and hospitality into one's company or home
A welcome guest.
Welcomed
Cordially or willingly permitted or invited
You are welcome to join us.
Welcome
Giving pleasure or satisfaction; agreeable or gratifying
A welcome respite from hard work.
Welcomed
Used in the expression you're welcome to acknowledge an expression of gratitude.
Welcome
Cordially or willingly permitted or invited
You are welcome to join us.
Welcomed
A cordial greeting or hospitable reception given to an arriving person.
Welcome
Used in the expression you're welcome to acknowledge an expression of gratitude.
Welcomed
The state of being welcome
Don't overstay your welcome.
Welcome
A cordial greeting or hospitable reception given to an arriving person.
Welcomed
To greet, receive, or entertain (another or others) cordially or hospitably.
Welcome
A reception upon arrival
Gave the stranger an unfriendly welcome.
Welcomed
To receive or accept gladly
Would welcome a little privacy.
Welcome
The state of being welcome
Don't overstay your welcome.
Welcomed
Used to greet cordially a visitor or recent arrival.
Welcome
To greet, receive, or entertain (another or others) cordially or hospitably.
Welcomed
Having received a warm welcome.
I felt so welcomed at your party last night.
Welcome
To receive or accept gladly
Would welcome a little privacy.
Welcomed
Simple past tense and past participle of welcome
Welcome
Used to greet cordially a visitor or recent arrival.
Welcomed
Gladly and cordially received or admitted
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!
Welcome
Producing gladness.
A welcome present;
Welcome news
Welcome
Free to have or enjoy gratuitously.
You are welcome to the use of my library.
Welcome
Greeting given upon someone's arrival.
Welcome
The act of greeting someone’s arrival, especially by saying "Welcome!"; reception.
Welcome
The utterance of such a greeting.
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
Pleasing or desired.
The rain was a welcome relief.
Welcome
Used to greet someone.
Welcome, new students!
Welcome
Accepted with pleasure.
Your suggestions are always welcome.
Welcome
The act of greeting someone.
They received a hearty welcome.
Common Curiosities
What does "welcomed" imply in a sentence?
"Welcomed" implies that someone has been received warmly or accepted.
How is "welcome" used as an adjective?
As an adjective, "welcome" describes something pleasing or desirable.
Is "welcome" always positive?
Generally, "welcome" carries a positive connotation of warm reception.
Does "welcomed" always involve people?
No, ideas or actions can also be "welcomed."
Can "welcome" be used as a verb?
Yes, "welcome" can be used as a verb to mean to greet warmly.
Is "welcomed" only used in past tense?
"Welcomed" is the past tense and past participle form of "welcome."
How does "welcome" function in a sentence structure?
"Welcome" can function as a verb, adjective, or noun, depending on the context.
Can "welcomed" stand alone in a sentence?
"Welcomed" usually doesn’t stand alone; it's part of a verb phrase or passive construction.
Can "welcome" be a noun?
Yes, "welcome" can be a noun referring to the act of greeting.
Is "welcomed" commonly used in everyday conversation?
"Welcomed" is commonly used, especially in the context of past events.
How is "welcomed" used in passive voice?
In passive voice, "welcomed" is used to describe being received warmly by someone, e.g., "They were welcomed by the locals."
What is the interjection form of "welcome"?
The interjection "Welcome!" is used to greet someone warmly.
Can "welcomed" be used as an adjective?
No, "welcomed" is not typically used as an adjective.
Are there synonyms for "welcome" and "welcomed"?
Yes, synonyms include "greet," "receive warmly," "embrace" for "welcome" and "accepted," "embraced" for "welcomed."
Can "welcome" be used in formal contexts?
Yes, "welcome" is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.