English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

trainee

tray-NEE

Trainee (noun) means someone currently being taught the skills needed for a job. Example: “The trainee shadowed a senior engineer for her first month.”

noun
1
Someone currently being taught the skills needed for a job.
"The trainee shadowed a senior engineer for her first month."
"He started as a trainee manager straight out of university."

How to use trainee

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person learning a job through on-the-job instruction.

Common pairings
trainee solicitor trainee teacher graduate trainee

Word forms

trainees plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “trainee” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ shadowed a senior engineer for her first month.

Etymology

From train + -ee, the suffix marking someone who receives an action (compare "employee").

Related words

Rhymes for trainee

See all rhymes for trainee →

Frequently asked questions

What does “trainee” mean?

The word “trainee” means someone currently being taught the skills needed for a job. In plain terms, a person learning a job through on-the-job instruction.

How do you pronounce “trainee”?

“Trainee” is pronounced tray-NEE (/tɹeɪˈni/ in IPA).

How do you use “trainee” in a sentence?

Here is “trainee” used in a sentence: “The trainee shadowed a senior engineer for her first month.”

What is another word for “trainee”?

Words with a similar meaning to “trainee” include orientee.

What part of speech is “trainee”?

“Trainee” is a noun.

Is “trainee” a common word?

“Trainee” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial