apprentice

1 of 2

noun

ap·​pren·​tice ə-ˈpren-təs How to pronounce apprentice (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: 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

2 of 2

verb

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

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Deighton said the company plans to add more technicians and apprentices soon, adding that finding qualified people is challenging because U.K. universities are not teaching processes like laser design. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 June 2025 Luna’s mother was British costume designer Fiona Alexander, who died when Luna was 2 years old, and his father was Mexican set designer Alejandro Luna, whom Luna shadowed as a child and, later, as an apprentice. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 June 2025
Verb
But its chef and founder Aitor Zabala — who apprenticed under José Andrés in his native Barcelona — had faith in his tasting-menu concept, and in November 2024 Somni returned to even greater fanfare and acclaim. Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2025 In the years after John died, Louie left the Navy and went on to apprentice as a plumber. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for apprentice

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of apprentice was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apprentice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprentice. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

apprentice

1 of 2 noun
ap·​pren·​tice ə-ˈprent-əs How to pronounce apprentice (audio)
: a person who is learning a trade or art by experience under a skilled worker

apprentice

2 of 2 verb
apprenticed; apprenticing
: to set at work as an apprentice

More from Merriam-Webster on apprentice

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!