Meanings
alternative semi-skilled
- 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 6Synonyms: low-skilled
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectiveRequiring, or having, only minimal levels of training.
More synonyms by meaning
adjectivepossessing or requiring limited skills
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Proto-Indo-European*sem-
- Proto-Indo-European*sēmi
- Latinsēmi-
- Englishsemi-
- Englishskilled
- Englishsemiskilled
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
semiskilled. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/semiskilled
“semiskilled.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/semiskilled. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “semiskilled,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/semiskilled.
Source: semiskilled on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.