: an experienced reliable worker, athlete, or performer especially as distinguished from one who is brilliant or colorful
a good journeyman trumpeterNew Yorker
a journeyman outfielder
Did you know?
The journey in journeyman refers to a sense of the familiar word not often used anymore: "a day's labor." This sense of journey was first used in the 14th century. When journeyman appeared the following century, it originally referred to a person who, having learned a handicraft or trade through an apprenticeship, worked for daily wages. In the 16th century, journeyman picked up a figurative (and mainly deprecatory) sense; namely, "one who drudges for another." These days, however, journeyman has little to do with drudgery, and lots to do with knowing a trade inside out.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebThe team excused its former starter, Baker Mayfield, from its off-season program as the front office seeks to trade him, and the current backup, the journeyman Jacoby Brissett, is not seen as a multiyear starter.New York Times, 9 June 2022 The Fern Creek senior catcher started life in Los Angeles, California, but soon began experiencing the journeyman’s life after his dad, William, joined the Army. Jonathan Saxon, The Courier-Journal, 14 Apr. 2022 A mere 16 months ago, the 26-year-old journeyman was the first alternate for a Korn Ferry Tour event. Eddie Pells, ajc, 18 June 2022 Out came Australian starter Mathew Ryan and in went the 33-year-old Andrew Redmayne, an anonymous journeyman who has never played for a club outside Australia. Joshua Robinson, WSJ, 14 June 2022 There also was Steve Allan, a 47-year-old journeyman from Australia who hasn’t played in a U.S. Open since 2010 and had his son as caddie. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2021 Imagine Watson were a journeyman N.F.L. practice player whom few had ever heard of. Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 9 June 2022 Yet this Sunday’s Super Bowl features a quarterback considered more of a talented journeyman, Matthew Stafford, and a second-year phenom whose first pro season was shortened by a knee injury, Joe Burrow.oregonlive, 8 Feb. 2022 Not bad for a 30-year-old journeyman making his playoff debut after spending most of the last three seasons in the minors. Will Graves, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from journey journey, a day's labor + man