apprentice

1 of 2

noun

ap·​pren·​tice ə-ˈpren-təs 

often attributive

1

a

: one bound by indenture (see indenture entry 1 sense 1a(3)) to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or trade

b

: one who is learning by practical experience under skilled workers a trade, art, or calling

a carpenter's apprentice

compare journeyman sense 1, master entry 1 sense 1c

2

: an inexperienced person : novice

an apprentice in cooking

apprentice

2 of 2

verb

apprenticed; apprenticing

transitive verb

: to set at work as an apprentice

especially : to bind to an apprenticeship by contract or indenture

intransitive verb

: to serve as an apprentice

Synonyms

Noun

• adjunct
• adjutant
• aid
• aide
• assistant
• coadjutor
• deputy
• helper
• helpmate
• helpmeet
• lieutenant
• mate
• sidekick

Examples of apprentice in a Sentence

Noun

decided to be an apprentice to an electrician after he graduated

aware that she's only an apprentice in the medical field, she readily defers to her more experienced colleagues

Verb

He apprenticed with a master carpenter for two years.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Born in Paris in 1879, Poiret started his career as an apprentice at fashion houses including Worth and Doucet, setting up his own in 1903. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 20 June 2025

President Trump’s goal of 1M apprentices is a good start, but not nearly enough. —Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

Verb

Her son, Chris Hutson, has been apprenticing at the shop for four years and will likely be The Clock Shop’s sixth-generation owner one day. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2025

Surrounded by a vibrant food culture, Samuelsson apprenticed in kitchens in Switzerland, Austria, and France before moving to New York City in the 1990s. —Jake Stern, Outside Online, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English aprentis, from Anglo-French apprentiz, from aprendre to learn, from Latin apprendere, apprehendere — see apprehend

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing apprentice

• seaman apprentice

Rhymes for apprentice

• momentous
• placentas
• portentous
• filamentous
• ligamentous
• mentis
• prentice

Kids Definition

apprentice

1 of 2 noun

ap·​pren·​tice ə-ˈprent-əs 

: a person who is learning a trade or art by experience under a skilled worker

apprentice

2 of 2 verb

apprenticed; apprenticing

: to set at work as an apprentice