journeyman

American  

[jur-nee-muhn] / ˈdʒɜr ni mən /

noun

plural

journeymen

1. a person who has served an apprenticeship at a trade or handicraft and is certified to work at it assisting or under another person.

2. any experienced, competent but routine worker or performer.

3. a person hired to do work for another, usually for a day at a time.

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journeyman British  

/ ˈdʒɜːnɪmən /

noun

1. a craftsman, artisan, etc, who is qualified to work at his trade in the employment of another

2. a competent workman

3. (formerly) a worker hired on a daily wage

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journeyman Cultural  

1. A skilled artisan who works on hire for master artisans rather than for himself.

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Etymology

Origin of journeyman

1425–75; late Middle English journeman, equivalent to journee a day's work ( see journey) + man man

Explanation

A journeyman is someone who's advanced beyond being an apprentice, but who works for someone else. A journeyman who works for a stone mason is fairly experienced at masonry. If you're a journeyman, you're a person who is skilled at a trade or a craft, possibly one who began as an apprentice to an experienced artisan or worker. As a journeyman, a glassblower or stone carver or carpenter has enough skill to do the job well, but hasn't gone into business for herself yet. Journeyman comes from the Vulgar Latin root of journey, diurnum, "day," and man, "person."

Example Sentences

Journeyman Darnold passed through four NFL clubs before emerging revitalized with a superb debut year in Seattle.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

Journeyman Adin Hill stepped in and won 11 of 14 starts, allowing just over two goals a game and stopping more than 93% of the shots he faced.

From Washington Times • Oct. 8, 2023

Journeyman Christian Wood says, ‘There’s a lot of false narratives out there about me,’ in part because the Lakers are his eighth team in nine seasons.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2023

Journeyman professional goaltender Pheonix Copley received a one-year contract extension, then won his 16th and 17th games since his Dec. 6 debut — the NHL’s highest total that time frame.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 17, 2023

At the station they met Journeyman and old John, but Sarah was nowhere to be found.

From Esther Waters by Moore, George (George Augustus)