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
Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
The definition of a journeyman, Jones played for 10 teams in his career.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Behind them are a pair of undrafted tackles in ‘Palcho’ and Crum, 2023 seventh-rounder Alex Forsyth and journeyman Calvin Throckmorton.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
Associates of the Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese and Lucchese crime families were named in a sweeping indictment that also ensnared Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, and one-time NBA journeyman Damon Jones, according to prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 24 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 1 Nov. 2025.
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journeyman
noun
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