apprentice

play

noun, often attributive ap·pren·tice \ ə-ˈpren-təs \

Definition of apprentice

1 a :one bound by indenture (see ¹indenture 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

2 :an inexperienced person :novice

an apprentice in cooking

—

apprenticeship

play \-tə(sh)-ˌship, -təs-ˌship\ noun

See apprentice defined for English-language learners

See apprentice defined for kids

Examples of apprentice in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of apprentice from the Web

The plan last year was for Fisher to serve as Hooe's apprentice but not play in a match, and thus save a season of eligibility as a red-shirt.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "UAA volleyball gets ready for life after All-America setter Morgan Hooe," 29 Aug. 2017
The UFC has served as the venue for McGregor’s gripping rise from an apprentice plumber in Dublin to mixed martial arts champ in two weight classes.

— john affleck, Fortune, "Here’s Who Will Really Win the Mayweather-McGregor Fight," 19 Aug. 2017
To refresh your memory, Gendry was first introduced in season one as master armorer Tobho Mott's apprentice.

— megan mccluskey, Time, "This Long-Lost Character Just Came Back in a Big Way on Game of Thrones," 13 Aug. 2017
Abbey Kay, apprentice, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Kay began her training at the International Ballet Academy in her hometown of Fort Lauderdale.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "8 who are new at the Cincinnati Ballet," 5 Aug. 2017
Before leaving from Hamburg, Germany, on Friday, the royal foursome took a tour of the Airbus training facilities, met with apprentices, and got a close-up tour of a helicopter, according to People.

— melissa minton, Glamour, "Watch Kate Middleton Expertly Calm Princess Charlotte During a Tantrum," 21 July 2017
That program put 10 artists and their apprentices to work painting murals throughout the city.

— christina tkacik / baltimore sun, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore's muralists make the city their canvas," 20 July 2017
An apprentice/mentor system grounded in a proficiency model charged with technical, academic, and professional skill development and critical thinking objectives will revolutionize higher education.

— robert craig baum, Fortune, "This Economic Bubble Is Going to Wreak Havoc When It Bursts," 10 July 2017
The tireless apprentice may soon become a full-fledged colleague.

— tim appenzeller, Science | AAAS, "The AI revolution in science," 7 July 2017

These 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.

Origin and Etymology of apprentice

Middle English aprentis, from Anglo-French apprentiz, from aprendre to learn, from Latin apprendere, apprehendere — see apprehend

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

apprentice Synonyms

Synonyms

adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, helper, assistant, coadjutor, deputy, helpmate, helpmeet, lieutenant, mate, sidekick

Antonyms

old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran

Related Words

attendant, handmaiden (also handmaid), maid, maidservant, scullion, servant; auxiliary, legman, subordinate, underling; employee (also employe), hand, help, hireling, laborer, swamper, worker; gal Friday, girl Friday; man Friday, right hand; aide-de-camp

Near Antonyms

expert, master, pro, professional

Other Job Terms

factotum, milliner, ostler, scrivener, tinker, webster, wordsmith

apprentice

verb

Definition of apprentice

apprenticed; apprenticing

transitive verb

:to set at work as an apprentice; especially :to bind to an apprenticeship by contract or indenture

intransitive verb

:to serve as an apprentice

See apprentice defined for English-language learners

Examples of apprentice in a Sentence

He apprenticed with a master carpenter for two years.

Recent Examples of apprentice from the Web

Stepping in at quarterback will be 6-foot-3 senior Reed Bianucci, who apprenticed under Czyzynski a year ago.

— dylan sinn, chicagotribune.com, "Pioneer Press football preview: New Trier Trevians," 24 Aug. 2017
Saintemarie apprenticed at the Pavilion Dauphine in Paris before earning his master’s degree and then joining the Disney Cruise Line in 1999.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Two Disney culinarians named top chef pastry chefs in America," 28 July 2017
Apprenticing for the Albany Patroons, Jackson drove the team van, pleaded with the front office for incremental raises in meal money and lobbied unsuccessfully to have Charley Rosen, his friend and assistant, accompany him on the road.

— harvey araton, New York Times, "Phil Jackson’s Beloved Triangle: A Symbol of Hubris," 29 June 2017
Having apprenticed under John Hammond for nine years and a general manager for not quite one week, Jon Horst wasn’t going to stray too far from the Milwaukee Bucks’ draft philosophy.

— gary d'amato, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "D'Amato: Horst follows Bucks' draft blueprint," 22 June 2017
The company eventually found a more stylish niche thanks to François Goyard, who’d apprenticed for eight years before taking the helm (and changing the name) in 1853.

— david nash, Town & Country, "Inside Goyard, the World’s Most Elusive Luxury Brand," 20 June 2017
The firm's founder, John Lobb, had been apprenticed to a shoe-maker in Plymouth as a young man before walking to London in 1851 to further his skills.

— shane c. kurup, Esquire, "What's So Great About British Shoes?," 7 June 2017
Mr. Lewiston had studied classical music at an English conservatory before apprenticing himself in the early 1950s to Thomas de Hartmann, a composer who was a follower of the Russian mystic G.I. Gurdjieff.

— emily langer, Washington Post, "David Lewiston, ‘musical tourist’ who collected the sounds of the world, dies at 88," 30 May 2017
At age 11, Vasquez began apprenticing under his father.

— joseph pimentel, Orange County Register, "The son is preserving the father’s history with murals in Anaheim," 25 Apr. 2017

Origin and Etymology of apprentice

see ¹apprentice

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1596

See Words from the same year

Other Job Terms

factotum, milliner, ostler, scrivener, tinker, webster, wordsmith

APPRENTICE Defined for English Language Learners

apprentice

play

noun

Definition of apprentice for English Language Learners

: 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

verb

Definition of apprentice for English Language Learners

: to make (someone) an apprentice
: to work as an apprentice

APPRENTICE Defined for Kids

apprentice

play

noun ap·pren·tice \ ə-ˈpren-təs \

Definition of apprentice for Students

:a person who is learning a trade or art by experience under a skilled worker

apprentice

verb

Definition of apprentice for Students

apprenticed; apprenticing

:to set at work as an apprentice He was apprenticed to a carpenter.

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See words that rhyme with apprentice Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for apprentice Spanish Central: Translation of apprentice Nglish: Translation of apprentice for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of apprentice for Arabic speakers

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apprentice

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Origin and Etymology of apprentice

apprentice Synonyms

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apprentice

Definition of apprentice

Examples of apprentice in a Sentence

Recent Examples of apprentice from the Web

Origin and Etymology of apprentice

Other Job Terms

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APPRENTICE Defined for English Language Learners

apprentice

Definition of apprentice for English Language Learners

apprentice

Definition of apprentice for English Language Learners

APPRENTICE Defined for Kids

apprentice

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apprentice

Definition of apprentice for Students

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