journeyman
noun
New Yorker
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The journey in journeyman refers to a sense of the familiar word not often used anymore: "a day's labor." This sense of journey was first used in the 14th century. When journeyman appeared the following century, it originally referred to a person who, having learned a handicraft or trade through an apprenticeship, worked for daily wages. In the 16th century, journeyman picked up a figurative (and mainly deprecatory) sense; namely, "one who drudges for another." These days, however, journeyman has little to do with drudgery, and lots to do with knowing a trade inside out.
Examples of journeyman in a Sentence
Joseph Person, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
The Warriors' 15th and final roster spot will reportedly remain vacant until the journeyman guard is brought back to the team.
—Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
With the exception of Chuck Rainey, the other players were all in-demand, journeyman-type musicians operating within the North Texas recording industry.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2025
His career path, which has included nearly a full season in the ECHL and changing teams seven times, earns him the label of journeyman.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for journeyman
Cite this Entry
“Journeyman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/journeyman. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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journeyman
noun
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