jackleg

jack·leg

adjective \ˈjak-ˌleg, -ˌlāg\

Definition of JACKLEG

1

a : characterized by unscrupulousness, dishonesty, or lack of professional standards <a jackleg lawyer>

b : lacking skill or training : amateur <a jackleg carpenter>

2

: designed as a temporary expedient : makeshift

— jackleg noun

Examples of JACKLEG

1. <a toolshed that can be built by any jackleg carpenter who's capable of hitting a nail without smashing his thumb>
2. <he did such a jackleg installation of that door frame that now the door won't shut>

Origin of JACKLEG

¹jack + -leg (as in blackleg)

First Known Use: 1850

Related to JACKLEG

Synonyms

amateur, backyard, avocational, nonprofessional, Sunday

Antonyms

ace, adept, consummate, crackerjack, expert, master, masterful, masterly, professional, virtuosic, virtuoso

Related Words

naive (or naïve), primitive, self-taught; amateurish, dilettante, inexperienced, inexpert, unprofessional, unskilled; uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored; part-time, weekend

Near Antonyms

able, accomplished, capable, competent, dexterous (also dextrous), gifted, habile, handsome, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented; experienced, practiced (also practised), seasoned, veteran; educated, fitted, initiated, knowledgeable, prepared, qualified, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, versed; all-around (also all-round), ambidextrous, versatile, well-rounded; finished, polished, slick

Rhymes with JACKLEG

blackleg, bootleg, bowleg, dogleg, foreleg, jake leg, JPEG, milk leg, MPEG, muskeg, nutmeg, peg leg, redleg, roughleg, Tuareg, unpeg