# journeyman

/ˈdʒɝniˌmæn/ (US) · /dʒˈɜːnɪmən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/journeyman
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a player who is very good but not quite the best in their sport. You use this to describe someone who is a solid professional but not a star.

For teachers: a professional athlete who is highly skilled but lacks the exceptional talent or status of a star. Often used in sports commentary to describe a reliable, consistent performer.

## Examples

- He is a journeyman player who never gets the headlines.
- The team signed a journeyman center to provide depth and experience during the championship run.
- While the rookie was the face of the franchise, the journeyman veteran provided the steady hand and defensive grit necessary to win the title.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.