ap·pren·tice
ə-ˈpren-təs 
often attributive
1
a
: one bound by indenture (see indenture entry 1 sense 1a(3)) to serve another for a prescribed period with a view to learning an art or trade
b
: one who is learning by practical experience under skilled workers a trade, art, or calling
a carpenter's apprentice
compare journeyman sense 1, master entry 1 sense 1c
2
: an inexperienced person : novice
an apprentice in cooking
apprenticed; apprenticing
: to set at work as an apprentice
especially
: to bind to an apprenticeship by contract or indenture
: to serve as an apprentice
Synonyms
Examples of apprentice in a Sentence
Noun
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
Verb
He apprenticed with a master carpenter for two years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jon Marcus, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024
One of the apprentices, who had a passion for adding saffron to the molten glass, hit on the idea of making the plain risotto for the wedding dinner turn gold like his windows.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Beyond that, much of the population would have learned a vocation, apprenticing to do what their father or mother did as a profession.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apprentice 
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Noun
His disappointment was brief; a local HVAC company happened to be looking for apprentices, and hired him.
—Jon Marcus, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024
One of the apprentices, who had a passion for adding saffron to the molten glass, hit on the idea of making the plain risotto for the wedding dinner turn gold like his windows.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
Robinson apprenticed under his father, one of the few Master Carvers in the United Kingdom.
—Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Beyond that, much of the population would have learned a vocation, apprenticing to do what their father or mother did as a profession.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for apprentice
Dictionary Entries Near apprentice
Cite this Entry
“Apprentice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apprentice. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
apprentice
1 of 2 noun
ap·pren·tice
ə-ˈprent-əs
: a person who is learning a trade or art by experience under a skilled worker
apprentice
2 of 2 verb
apprenticed; apprenticing
: to set at work as an apprentice
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