apprentice

The word “apprentice” means someone learning a skilled trade by working under an experienced person. In plain terms, a beginner learning a trade on the job, usually under a more experienced worker.

“Apprentice” is pronounced uh-PREHN-tihs (/əˈpɹɛntɪs/ in IPA).

Here is “apprentice” used in a sentence: “She started as a plumber's apprentice at sixteen.”

Depending on how it is used, “apprentice” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “apprentice” comes from Old French. From Old French aprentis, related to apprendre, "to learn" — from the same root as apprehend.

“Apprentice” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

“Apprentice” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone learning a skilled trade by working under an experienced person.

An apprentice typically learns a skilled trade, such as carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work, through structured, hands-on training under an experienced worker, often as part of a formal program that leads to certification. An intern usually gains short-term work experience in an office or professional setting, often as a student, without necessarily working toward a trade qualification.

Apprentice usually implies a longer, more formal arrangement tied specifically to learning a skilled trade under a master or experienced worker. Trainee is a broader term that can apply to almost any job or industry, including office and professional roles, not just skilled trades.

Yes, apprentice can be used as a verb meaning to place someone with a skilled worker to learn a trade, as in "she was apprenticed to a blacksmith." This verb usage is less common today than the noun form but still appears in historical and formal contexts.