journeyman

noun

jour·​ney·​man ˈjər-nē-mən How to pronounce journeyman (audio)
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 trumpeterNew 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Veteran journeyman Abraham Toro has been filling in. Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 In the bottom of the eighth inning, journeyman outfielder Travis Jankowski took the mound and flung balls at 40 mph — doing so during his latest Mets stint, which is six days old, before ever appearing in the batter’s box. Will Sammon, New York Times, 29 June 2025 Ad Astra was released the same year as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and where his Oscar-winning role shows his undeniable movie star charisma, the former suggests the thoughtfulness and subtlety of a journeyman actor. Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 27 June 2025 Diego Segui, a journeyman pitcher who was traded three times and played for two expansion franchises in parts of 15 major league seasons, has died. Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for journeyman

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of journeyman was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Journeyman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/journeyman. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

journeyman

noun
jour·​ney·​man ˈjər-nē-mən How to pronounce journeyman (audio)
1
: a worker who has learned a trade and works for another person usually by the day
2
: an experienced reliable worker
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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