Jackleg — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈjak-ˌleg/ jack·leg

Meaning & Definition of Jackleg

Jackleg (adjective)

  1. characterized by unscrupulousness, dishonesty, or lack of professional standards
  2. lacking skill or training, amateur
  3. designed as a temporary expedient, makeshift

Jackleg (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being such only for recreation

    "a toolshed that can be built by any jackleg carpenter who's capable of hitting a nail without smashing his thumb"

    similar: amateur, avocational, backyard, nonprofessional, Sunday
    related: naive, primitive, self-taught, amateurish, dilettante, inexperienced, inexpert, unprofessional, unskilled, uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, part-time, weekend

  2. lacking or showing a lack of expert skill

    "he did such a jackleg installation of that door frame that now the door won't shut"

    similar: amateur, amateurish, dilettante, dilettantish, inexperienced, inexpert, nonprofessional, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful
    related: curbstone, self-taught, uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed, crude, defective, faulty, flawed, primitive, unfinished, unpolished, beginning, entry-level, fresh, green, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be, incapable, incompetent, talentless, unable, unfit, ungifted, untalented
    opposite: ace, adept, consummate, crackerjack, expert, master, masterful, masterly, professional, virtuosic, virtuoso
    near: able, accomplished, capable, competent, dexterous, gifted, habile, handsome, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, educated, fitted, initiated, knowledgeable, prepared, qualified, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, versed, all-around, ambidextrous, versatile, well-rounded, finished, polished, slick

  3. having or showing lowered moral character or standards

    "a jackleg lawyer whose clients consist mainly of drug dealers and child molesters"

    similar: corrupt, debased, debauched, decadent, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, rakehell, rakish, reprobate, sick, unclean, unwholesome, warped
    related: bent (chiefly British), crooked, cutthroat, dishonest, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous, contaminated, spoiled, tainted, bad, evil, immoral, iniquitous, miscreant, nefarious, sinful, vicious, wicked
    opposite: pure, uncorrupt, uncorrupted
    near: incorruptible, ethical, honest, principled, good, moral, righteous, virtuous

Jackleg (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person who lacks experience and competence in an art or science

    "you can't rely on a bunch of jacklegs to run your dairy farm"

    similar: amateur, hack, hacker, inexpert, trifler
    related: beginner, freshman, greenhorn, kid, learner, neophyte, newcomer, novice, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro
    opposite: ace, adept, crackerjack, craftsman, expert, hand, master, past master, shark, sharp
    near: maestro, virtuoso, whiz, wizard, old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Jackleg

The most common words with a similar meaning to Jackleg:

amateur, avocational, backyard, nonprofessional, Sunday, amateurish, dilettante, dilettantish, inexperienced, inexpert, unprofessional, unskilled, unskillful, corrupt, debased, debauched, decadent, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, rakehell, rakish, reprobate, sick, unclean, unwholesome, warped, hack, hacker, trifler

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Jackleg

Words with the opposite meaning of Jackleg:

ace, adept, consummate, crackerjack, expert, master, masterful, masterly, professional, virtuosic, virtuoso, pure, uncorrupt, uncorrupted, craftsman, hand, past master, shark, sharp

Related Words for Jackleg

naive, primitive, self-taught, uninitiated, unprepared, unqualified, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, part-time, weekend, curbstone, awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed, crude, defective, faulty, flawed, unfinished, unpolished, beginning, entry-level, fresh, green, new, raw

Near Antonyms of Jackleg

able, accomplished, capable, competent, dexterous, gifted, habile, handsome, proficient, skilled, skillful, talented, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, educated, fitted, initiated, knowledgeable, prepared, qualified, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, versed, all-around, ambidextrous, versatile

Word Forms of Jackleg

Derived words: jackleg (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Jackleg

jack:1 + -leg (as in blackleg)

First known use: 1833

Frequently Asked Questions about Jackleg

What does "Jackleg" mean?

"Jackleg" means characterized by unscrupulousness, dishonesty, or lack of professional standards. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: characterized by unscrupulousness, dishonesty, or lack of professional standards. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Jackleg"?

Other words for "Jackleg" include amateur, avocational, backyard, nonprofessional, Sunday, amateurish, dilettante and dilettantish. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Jackleg" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Jackleg"?

There are 108 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Jackleg". Common alternatives include amateur, avocational, backyard, nonprofessional, Sunday, amateurish, dilettante, dilettantish, inexperienced and inexpert.

What is the opposite of "Jackleg"?

Antonyms of "Jackleg" include ace, adept, consummate, crackerjack, expert, master, masterful and masterly. Near antonyms include able, accomplished, capable and competent.

How do you use "Jackleg" in a sentence?

Examples of "Jackleg" in a sentence: "a toolshed that can be built by any jackleg carpenter who's capable of hitting a nail without smashing his thumb"; "he did such a jackleg installation of that door frame that now the door won't shut"; "a jackleg lawyer whose clients consist mainly of drug dealers and child molesters".

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

"Jackleg" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Jackleg"?

"Jackleg" is pronounced /ˈjak-ˌleg/ and divided into syllables as jack·leg.

What is the origin of the word "Jackleg"?

"Jackleg" comes from jack:1 + -leg (as in blackleg). First known use: 1833.