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ap·pren·tice | \ ə-ˈpren-təs 
\
\Definition of apprentice
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : one bound by indenture (see indenture entry 1 sense 1a(3)) to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or trade
b : one who is learning by practical experience under skilled workers a trade, art, or calling
a carpenter's apprentice — compare journeyman sense 1, master entry 1 sense 1c
2 : an inexperienced person : novice an apprentice in cooking
apprentice
verbapprenticed; apprenticing
Definition of apprentice (Entry 2 of 2)
: to set at work as an apprentice especially : to bind to an apprenticeship by contract or indenture
: to serve as an apprentice
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Synonyms for apprentice
Synonyms: Noun
- adjunct,
- adjutant,
- aid,
- aide,
- assistant,
- coadjutor,
- deputy,
- helper,
- helpmate,
- helpmeet,
- lieutenant,
- mate,
- sidekick
Examples of apprentice in a Sentence
Noun
decided to be an apprentice to an electrician after he graduated
aware that she's only an apprentice in the medical field, she readily defers to her more experienced colleagues Verb
He apprenticed with a master carpenter for two years.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Jianzhen told his apprentices that this line was sewn onto robes given to him by a Japanese king who invited him to give lectures in the country.
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Isabella Steger, Quartz, "“Lands apart, shared sky”: Japan’s response to the coronavirus is winning unusual praise in China," 4 Feb. 2020 Barclays places apprentices in locations including New York City.
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Agam Shah, WSJ, "Seeking Tech Talent, Companies Kickstart Apprenticeship Programs," 30 Jan. 2020 Now, the veteran coach is providing valuable knowledge as an assistant for his former apprentice.
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Matt Maccormack, BostonGlobe.com, "Walpole boys’ indoor track a program on the rise," 11 Jan. 2020 Those who emerge can earn about $20 per hour as apprentices, on the way to making about $40 an hour within a few years.
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Ryan Ori, chicagotribune.com, "As Chicago’s building boom continues, new nonprofit aims to train women and minorities for construction trades," 6 Dec. 2019 Both men worked on the shipyard: Kapoi, 30, as a metals inspector apprentice and Agustin, 49, as a shop planner.
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Ashley Boucher, PEOPLE.com, "Victims in the Pearl Harbor Shooting Identified One Day Before Anniversary of Historic Attack," 6 Dec. 2019 Norfolk field coach Ramon Sambo is now in the role of fundamentals coach, while Eli Steinfield, who was previously with the Houston Astros as a player development technology apprentice, is the Tides’ development coach.
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Nathan Ruiz, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles announce minor league coaching staffs; Ryan Flaherty reportedly hired by Padres; Chris Davis honored," 25 Nov. 2019 Jasper would go on to have apprentices himself, such as Heavy J and Stoger.
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Anakwa Dwamena, The New York Review of Books, "Ghana’s Handmade Movie Poster Boom," 18 Jan. 2020 After young Jakob gave his age as 16, a skeptical pause hung in the air until the stranger next to him in line, an old man, said Mr. Garfein was his apprentice and both were master mosaic artists.
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Jay Nordlinger, National Review, "‘They like to send our kids to war,’ &c.," 9 Jan. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Soleri, the late Italian architect, apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1940s and moved to Scottsdale in 1956.
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Kerry Lengel, azcentral, "Scottsdale's best public art: 'LOVE' and 11 more selfie-worthy sculptures and other works," 10 Jan. 2020 Safe in neutral Switzerland from the Nazi threat looming across Europe, Robert Frank studied and apprenticed with graphic designers and photographers in Zurich, Basel and Geneva.
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Philip Gefter, New York Times, "Robert Frank Dies; Pivotal Documentary Photographer Was 94," 10 Sep. 2019 Another Detroit native, Day apprenticed at several architectural firms before opening his own practice in 1915.
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Micah Walker, Detroit Free Press, "Palmer Woods: A guide to Detroit neighborhood's history, architecture," 12 Oct. 2017 Before opening Hina, Cleary worked at Berkeley’s popular izakaya Ippuku and apprenticed for a year at a yakiroti spot in Tokyo called Tori+Salon.
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Janelle Bitker, SFChronicle.com, "Hina Yakitori opens in San Francisco with 12 seats, 15 courses," 27 Sep. 2019 Matt Vogel, 49, who began apprenticing with Spinney in 1996, has taken over the role.
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Lily Rothman, Time, "'We're All Growing Up Together': As Sesame Street Turns 50, Big Bird Is Still Making Friends Everywhere He Goes," 7 Nov. 2019 As a teenager, Bathsheba Demuth lived for a time with a Gwich’in family, apprenticed to a dog musher.
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Nancy Lord, Anchorage Daily News, "New history compares the two sides of the Bering Strait and the waters between," 19 Oct. 2019 Unlike apprenticed or employed Affinites who had honed their abilities for years, Ana had only a basic and crude control over hers.
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David Canfield, EW.com, "Read an excerpt from Blood Heir, the year's most controversial YA novel," 17 Oct. 2019 The chef also spent the spring and summer preparing for this role, apprenticing at French and Italian restaurants Le Pigeon in Portland, Flour + Water in San Francisco and Lilia in Brooklyn.
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Josie Sexton, The Know, "You only have 12 weeks to try Denver’s newest French restaurant," 11 Oct. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apprentice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for apprentice
apprentice
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of apprentice
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a person who learns a job or skill by working for a fixed period of time for someone who is very good at that job or skill
apprentice
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of apprentice (Entry 2 of 2)
: to make (someone) an apprentice
: to work as an apprentice
See the full definition for apprentice in the English Language Learners Dictionary
apprentice
nounap·pren·tice | \ ə-ˈpren-təs \
\Kids Definition of apprentice
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a person who is learning a trade or art by experience under a skilled worker
apprentice
verbapprenticed; apprenticing
Kids Definition of apprentice (Entry 2 of 2)
: to set at work as an apprentice
He was apprenticed to a carpenter.
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Time Traveler for apprentice
The first known use of apprentice was in the 14th century
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