Word
apprentice
Phoneticsap·pren·tice, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈpɹɛntəs/
UK/ɐpɹˈɛntɪs/
Definitions
01a trainee in a trade
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who works for a master or expert to learn a practical skill or trade.
n. a person employed to learn a skilled trade through practical experience under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
“The young apprentice spent the morning learning how to cut wood from the master carpenter.”
“As a plumbing apprentice, he spent four days a week on-site with a mentor and one day at a technical college completing his certifications.”
Antonyms
02a beginner
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a person who is new to a subject and does not have much experience yet.
n. an inexperienced person or novice in a particular field of study or activity.
“In the world of politics, he was still an apprentice compared to the older leaders.”
“Though a master of the violin, he felt like a mere apprentice when he first attempted to compose an original symphony.”
03to place as a trainee
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to send someone to work for a master so they can learn a trade.
v. to bind or assign someone to a master or employer for the purpose of instruction in a craft or business.
“In the past, many children were apprenticed to local bakers or tailors at a young age.”
“The family decided to apprentice their eldest son to a reputable printer in the city to ensure he learned a sustainable trade.”
Usage
Often used in the passive voice with 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“The Port Glasgow firm currently employs 247 core staff, 31 agency staff and 32 apprentices - but says it expects to shed 70 posts through a voluntary redundancy process.” “Born in 1901 in Cologne, he described himself as a “sensitive child” who “suffered through” his first eleven years at school before becoming a lithographer’s apprentice .” Etymology
From Middle English apprentice, apprentesse, apprentyse, apprentis, from Old French aprentis, plural of aprentif, from Old French aprendre (verb), Late Latin apprendō, from Classical Latin apprehendō. Compare typologically Latin discipulus (akin to capiō); Russian схва́тывать на лету́ (sxvátyvatʹ na letú), and for another aspect быть на подхва́те (bytʹ na podxváte) (both akin to хвата́ть (xvatátʹ).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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