Standard Lemma guide

journeyman

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American: /ˈd͡ʒɝnimən/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈd͡ʒɜːnimən/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: JH ER1 N IY0 M AE2 N Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A tradesman who has completed an apprenticeship or equivalent educational path in a trade.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Everyone must follow safety guidelines whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, or even master electrician.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A competent but undistinguished tradesman, especially one who works, and is paid by the day.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, sometimes

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A player who plays on many different teams during the course of his career.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, sports

Examples

  • The Los Angeles Lakers added journeyman forward Bob McAdoo to their roster in hopes that he could help them win a title.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: craftsman, artisan, artificer

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: skilled worker, trained worker, skilled workman

Narrower terms: beautician, cosmetician, bookbinder, bricklayer, clocksmith, clockmaker, coachbuilder, construction worker, hard hat, cooper, barrel maker, coppersmith, currier, diemaker, diesinker, die-sinker, glassblower, glass cutter, glass-cutter, glassworker, glazier, glazer, goldbeater, gold-beater, hairdresser, hairstylist, stylist, styler, luthier, machinist, mechanic, shop mechanic, mason, stonemason, miller, paperhanger, paperer, plumber, pipe fitter, potter, thrower, ceramicist, ceramist, rigger, roofer, ropemaker, rope-maker, roper, steamfitter, tanner, taxidermist, animal stuffer, stuffer, upholsterer, weaver, welder, window dresser, window trimmer, woodworker, woodsman, woodman, wright, Morris, William Morris

History

Etymology

From Middle English jorneman; from journe (from Old French jornee (“a day's work, a journey”)) and mon; equivalent to journey + -man.

Across languages

Translations

23 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Belarusian: чаляднік (čaljadnik) — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Bulgarian: калфа (kalfa) — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Catalan: oficial — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Catalan: fadrí — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Catalan: companyó — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Czech: tovaryš — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Danish: svend — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Dutch: gezel — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Finnish: kisälli — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • French: compagnon — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Georgian: ქარგალი (kargali) — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • German: Geselle — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Macedonian: калфа (kalfa) — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Norwegian Bokmål: svenn — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: svein — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Polish: czeladnik — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Russian: подмасте́рье (podmastérʹje) — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Spanish: oficial — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Swedish: gesäll — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Turkish: kalfa — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Ukrainian: підма́йстер (pidmájster) — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Yiddish: געזעל (gezel) — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship
  • Yiddish: פּועל (poyel) — tradesman who has served an apprenticeship