Apprentice — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ə-ˈpren-təs/ ap·pren·tice

Meaning & Definition of Apprentice

Apprentice (noun)

  1. one bound by indenture to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or trade
  2. one who is learning by practical experience under skilled workers a trade, art, or calling
  3. an inexperienced person, novice

Apprentice (verb)

  1. to set at work as an apprentice; especially, to bind to an apprenticeship by contract or indenture
  2. to serve as an apprentice

Apprentice (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who helps a more skilled person

    "decided to be an apprentice to an electrician after he graduated"

    similar: adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, assistant, coadjutor, deputy, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, lieutenant, mate, sidekick
    related: attendant, handmaiden, maid, maidservant, scullion, servant, auxiliary, legman, subordinate, underling, employee, hand, help, hireling, laborer, swamper, worker, gal Friday, girl Friday, man Friday, right hand, aide-de-camp

  2. a person who is just starting out in a field of activity

    "aware that she's only an apprentice in the medical field, she readily defers to her more experienced colleagues"

    similar: abecedarian, babe, beginner, colt, cub, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, novitiate, punk, recruit, rook, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro, virgin
    related: boot, amateur, dabbler, dilettante, learner, student, trainee, candidate, entrant, probationer
    opposite: old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran
    near: expert, master, pro, professional

Apprentice (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in partner, contract

    similar: contract, job, partner, subcontract, assume, employ, engage, fee (chiefly Scottish), hire, lay on (chiefly British), pay, place, recruit, retain, sign (up or on), take on, reemploy, reengage, rehire, enlist, advance, promote, upgrade, keep (on), headhunt, scout
    opposite: furlough, lay off, lock out, ax, can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Apprentice

The most common words with a similar meaning to Apprentice:

Chiefly Scottish: fee
Chiefly British: lay on
adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, assistant, coadjutor, deputy, helper, helpmate, helpmeet, lieutenant, mate, sidekick, abecedarian, babe, beginner, colt, cub, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, novitiate, punk, recruit, rook, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro, virgin, contract, job, partner, subcontract, assume, employ, engage

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Apprentice

Words with the opposite meaning of Apprentice:

old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran, furlough, lay off, lock out, ax, can, discharge, dismiss, fire, sack

Related Words for Apprentice

attendant, handmaiden, maid, maidservant, scullion, servant, auxiliary, legman, subordinate, underling, employee, hand, help, hireling, laborer, swamper, worker, gal Friday, girl Friday, man Friday, right hand, aide-de-camp, boot, amateur, dabbler, dilettante, learner, student, trainee, candidate

Near Antonyms of Apprentice

expert, master, pro, professional

Word Forms of Apprentice

Inflections: apprenticed, apprenticing

Origin & Etymology of Apprentice

Middle English aprentis, from Anglo-French apprentiz, from aprendre to learn, from Latin apprendere, apprehendere see apprehend

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Apprentice

seaman apprentice

Frequently Asked Questions about Apprentice

What does "Apprentice" mean?

"Apprentice" means one bound by indenture to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or trade. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: one bound by indenture to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or trade. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Apprentice"?

Other words for "Apprentice" include adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, assistant, coadjutor, deputy and helper. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Apprentice" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Apprentice"?

There are 90 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Apprentice". Common alternatives include adjunct, adjutant, aid, aide, assistant, coadjutor, deputy, helper, helpmate and helpmeet.

What is the opposite of "Apprentice"?

Antonyms of "Apprentice" include old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran, furlough, lay off, lock out and ax. Near antonyms include expert, master, pro and professional.

How do you use "Apprentice" in a sentence?

Examples of "Apprentice" in a sentence: "decided to be an apprentice to an electrician after he graduated"; "aware that she's only an apprentice in the medical field, she readily defers to her more experienced colleagues".

Is "Apprentice" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Apprentice" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Apprentice"?

"Apprentice" is pronounced /ə-ˈpren-təs/ and divided into syllables as ap·pren·tice.

What is the origin of the word "Apprentice"?

"Apprentice" comes from Middle English aprentis, from Anglo-French apprentiz, from aprendre to learn, from Latin apprendere, apprehendere see apprehend. First known use: 14th century.