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 ( journey ) + man man

Example Sentences

After a difficult start to his NFL career, it seemed Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold was destined to become a journeyman back-up.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

Buffalo drafted Allen with the No. 7 pick in 2018 to replace journeyman quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Six-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz was put through his paces by German journeyman Yannick Hanfmann on Wednesday before swatting him aside to book his place in the Australian Open third round.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

Mariyana Lords, a junior there, wants to do an apprenticeship to earn her journeyman electrician license.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

“Manet’s given me permission to start my journeyman project.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss