journeyman

noun

jour·ney·man ˈjər-nē-mən

: 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

: 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

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The Yankees have been reportedly dancing around the idea of reacquiring 34-year-old Tim Hill, a lefty journeyman who was released by the Chicago White Sox on June 18 last season, only to sign with the Yankees two days later. —

John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 The Commanders have watched long-term investments Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins fail to produce any postseason success and have cycled through journeyman quarterbacks like Case Keenum, Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz in recent years. —

Sam Joseph, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025 Wedgwood doesn’t need to be the loudest guy in any room, but the 32-year-old does have a confidence and presence built from years as a journeyman and establishing himself in various locker rooms as the backup goalie. —

Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025 Playing on a one-year, $10 million contract, the journeyman Darnold is in the midst of an MVP-caliber, breakout season with a 68.1% completion percentage, 4,153 passing yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for the 14-2 Vikings. —

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for journeyman