semiskilled

S1E1M3I1S1K5I1L1L1E1D2

adjective

Requiring, or having, only minimal levels of training.

“Near-synonym: low-skilled”

Scrabble 18

Meanings

adjectivesemiskilled (not comparable)

alternative semi-skilled

  1. not comparablejobs; or the people who do them; jobs; or the people who do themRequiring, or having, only minimal levels of training.

    Near-synonym: low-skilled

    3 more examples

    Semiskilled workers are cheaper than skilled workers but more productive than unskilled drudges.

    The greater job security of skilled workers compared with semiskilled and unskilled workers was clearly evident during the 1960–61 recession.

    1961, Occupational Outlook Handbook, page 336

    “Scientific” management principles recognized the significant role of machines in better and more efficient production systems. Specifically, semiskilled workers using machines could produce more than the skilled workers in small craft shops.

    2008, Jon M. Werner, Randy L. DeSimone, Human Resource Development, →ISBN, page 6

    Synonyms: low-skilled

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveRequiring, or having, only minimal levels of training.

More synonyms by meaning

adjectivepossessing or requiring limited skills

Similar
Also see

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*sem-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*sēmi
  3. Latinsēmi-
  4. Englishsemi-
  5. Englishskilled
  6. Englishsemiskilled

From semi- + skilled.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 半熟練 /半熟练, 半技術 /半技术
  • 半熟練 /半熟练 (bàn shúliàn)requiring only minimal levels of training
  • 半技術 /半技术 (bàn jìshù)requiring only minimal levels of training
German angelernt
  • angelerntrequiring only minimal levels of training
Greek ημιειδικευμένος
  • ημιειδικευμένος (imieidikevménos)requiring only minimal levels of training
Hungarian betanított
  • betanítottrequiring only minimal levels of training
Indonesian setengah ahli
  • setengah ahlirequiring only minimal levels of training
Korean 반숙련
  • 반숙련 (bansungnyeon)requiring only minimal levels of training
Welsh lled-fedrus
  • lled-fedrusrequiring only minimal levels of training
Cite this entry
APA

semiskilled. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/semiskilled

MLA

“semiskilled.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/semiskilled. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “semiskilled,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/semiskilled.

Source: semiskilled on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.