jack-of-all-trades

[ jak-uhv-awl-treydz, jak- ]

noun

plural jacks-of-all-trades.

1. a person who is adept at many different kinds of work.

jack of all trades

noun

1. a person who undertakes many different kinds of work

Word History and Origins

Origin of jack-of-all-trades¹

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

Matthew Modine, who acted in “Full Metal Jacket,” remembers perceiving Vitali as kind of an “Igor” figure, a jack-of-all-trades.

From New York Times

With the co-production between Latvia, France and Belgium, Zilbalodis went from being a jack-of-all-trades to forming his own production company — thereby mirroring the loner cat’s sudden need to work in a team environment.

From Los Angeles Times

During his decade-long stint at WKYC, Edwards worked as a “graphics guru, camera operator, and general jack-of-all-trades,” the station said, “yet it was a somewhat random opportunity in 1989 that earned him international fame.”

From Los Angeles Times

To make matters even more difficult, Hulls, a painter, adventurer and itinerant jack-of-all-trades, was not really a writer.

From New York Times

“I was actually calling myself a jack-of-all-trades for a long time,” he continues.

From Los Angeles Times