journeyman
JUR-nee-muhn
/ˈdʒɝː.ni.mən/
A worker who has completed an apprenticeship and is qualified to work for another in a skilled trade.
Ranks above an apprentice but below a master; implies reliable, full competence without independent master status.
The story behind the word. Despite sounding like someone who travels on journeys, 'journeyman' comes from French 'journée' (a day's work). A journeyman was originally a tradesman paid by the day, having finished apprenticeship and qualified to earn daily wages.
Word relationships
- craftsman: Craftsman emphasizes skill in making things, while journeyman specifies a precise stage of professional qualification between apprentice and master.
- tradesman: Tradesman is a general term for anyone in a trade, whereas journeyman denotes a specific credential level.
- apprentice: A novice bound to learn from a master.
- master: The highest level craftsman authorized to employ others and run an independent shop.
Commonly confused with
- traveler: While 'journeyman' stems from 'journée' (a day's work), it does not mean someone who simply travels.
Word family
- journeywork (noun): Work done by a journeyman for daily wages.
Collocations
- journeyman electrician
- journeyman plumber
- journeyman level
- journeyman status
Example sentences
- "After four years of guidance under his master, he passed the examination to become a certified journeyman carpenter." Craft Guild System
- "Though never an international superstar, he enjoyed a respectable fifteen-year career as a journeyman player." Sports & Trade Metaphor
Memory hook
A JOURNEYman earns a wage for each JOURNÉE (day) of work. Qualified to earn daily wages in a trade.
When not to use
Do not use to describe an untrained entry-level worker or a top-tier master craftsman.
Fun facts
- In sports jargon, a 'journeyman' refers to a dependable player who moves from team to team, carrying solid trade skills wherever they go.
Related words
Explore more words
artisan, profession, craftsmanship, proficient, qualified, professionalism
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