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 definition of a journeyman, Jones played for 10 teams and made more than $20 million in his career. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Sullivan hinted that Miami’s going to be a bottom-feeding, poach friendly NFL team for a year or two, which is ideal and healthy when your talent base is filled with unproven rookies, and NFL journeymen. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026

The offensive had weapons and the defense boasted two fang-bearing edge rushers and a No Fly Zone secondary that humbled All-Pros, MVPs and journeymen without remorse. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026

Because without Vladar, voted the Bobby Clarke team MVP and journeyman turned Olympian, the Flyers would be in a world of hurt. —CBS News, 23 Apr. 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