journeyman

noun

jour·​ney·​man ˈjər-nē-mən 

1

: a worker who has learned a trade and works for another person usually by the day compare apprentice entry 1 sense 1b, master entry 1 sense 1c

2

: an experienced reliable worker, athlete, or performer especially as distinguished from one who is brilliant or colorful

… a good journeyman trumpeter …

—New Yorker

a journeyman outfielder

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The Hader trade brought Game 3 starter Robert Gasser and journeyman outfielder Estuery Ruiz, and within a subsequent three-team trade, the Brewers swiped All-Star catcher William Contreras for Ruiz. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Schröder, 33, continues his run as one of the ultimate journeymen in professional basketball. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026

In an attempt to lighten the mood around the club at the time, fans nicknamed their then journeyman striker Imre Varadi as ‘Imre Banana’ and have been bringing their inflatables ever since. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

One fan asked me why Sox fans suddenly were so enamored with a journeyman pitcher like Fedde. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from journey journey, a day's labor + man

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for journeyman

• businessman
• canavan
• caravan
• constantan
• dragoman
• fisherman
• handyman
• harmattan
• marianne
• middleman
• minivan
• minuteman

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Kids Definition

journeyman

noun

jour·​ney·​man ˈjər-nē-mən 

1

: a worker who has learned a trade and works for another person usually by the day

2

: an experienced reliable worker