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
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
The 28-year-old Viel was a nice story in October as the journeyman tough guy who made the opening night roster.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2026
The field features a nice balance of former winners, Korn Ferry Tour graduates and journeymen professionals hoping to get off to a good start in 2026.
—Dennis Esser, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Minor-league journeyman Ryan Fitzgerald was claimed on waivers from the Minnesota Twins in one move.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 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 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
journeyman
noun
