semiskilled

American  

[sem-ee-skild, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˈskɪld, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

1. having or requiring more training and skill than unskilled labor but less than skilled labor.

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semiskilled British  

/ ˌsɛmɪˈskɪld /

adjective

1. partly skilled or trained but not sufficiently so to perform specialized work

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Etymology

Origin of semiskilled

First recorded in 1915–20; semi- + skilled

Example Sentences

In Lynn, Mass., shopkeepers consolidated skilled labor while distributing semiskilled work to households.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

Luddites, remember, were the weavers who responded to the Industrial Revolution by trying to destroy the machines that had destroyed what had up until then a semiskilled, and decently paid, profession.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2017

As baby boomers age, O'Keefe says, they'll drive the need for semiskilled health care workers, such as home health aides, to assist with daily tasks and basic medical services.

From US News • Jan. 26, 2016

A random sample of 100 San Jose residents indicated 15 professional, 15 clerical, 40 skilled, 10 service, and 20 semiskilled laborers.

From Textbooks • Sep. 19, 2013

It was the home of factory workers, clerks, semiskilled technicians, all who do the drudge work of civilization and know they will never do more.

From The Green Beret by Schoenherr, John