journeyman
noun
New Yorker
Did you know?
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
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies have seen many notable players pass through their organization and even more journeymen spend short stints with the team over the years.
—Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
But who says journeyman players don’t have bad habits and share them?
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Not bad for a career journeyman who has managed to stay ready throughout this postseason, even as his role has changed from series to series and game to game.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for journeyman
Cite this Entry
“Journeyman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/journeyman. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
journeyman
noun
