"Noob" is a slang term commonly used in online gaming communities to refer to a player who is inexperienced, unskilled, or less knowledgeable compared to other players. The term often implies that the "noob" is easily defeated or "pwned" (meaning "owned" or "dominated").
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Neophyte, informally. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.