plural apprentices
: a person who learns a job or skill by working for a fixed period of time for someone who is very good at that job or skill
a carpenter's apprentice = an apprentice to a carpenter
—often used before another nounan apprentice carpenter
apprentices; apprenticed; apprenticing
1
: to make (someone) an apprentice
—usually used as (be) apprenticed
He was apprenticed to a carpenter [=he became a carpenter's apprentice] at the age of 15.
2
: to work as an apprentice
He apprenticed with a master carpenter for two years.
Cite this Entry
“Apprentice.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/apprentice. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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