OpenSynonym

jack-of-all-trades

/ˌdʒæk əv ɔːl treɪdz/

NOUN

1. A person skilled in many different activities

A person who possesses practical skills, knowledge, or competence in a wide variety of activities, occupations, or fields, particularly someone who can handle many different tasks without necessarily specializing in any one of them.

1.1. Versatile skills and general abilities

Used to describe someone who has a broad range of abilities and can competently perform different kinds of tasks rather than concentrating on a single specialized field.

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Antonyms

Examples

  • He prided himself on being a skilled jack-of-all-trades who could tackle any project.
  • The small business owner, a true jack-of-all-trades, managed everything from finances to customer service.
  • The survivalist in the wilderness proved to be a versatile jack-of-all-trades, handling tasks from building shelter to foraging for food.

Related Words

  • versatility
  • adaptability
  • multiskilling
  • resourcefulness
  • broad knowledge
  • diverse abilities
  • general knowledge
  • practical skills
  • Renaissance person

1.2. Practical skills and handyman abilities

Used to describe someone capable of handling a variety of practical jobs, household repairs, maintenance tasks, and everyday work that would otherwise require different tradespeople.

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Examples

  • In the tight-knit community, they relied on the local handyman, a true jack-of-all-trades, for various repairs.
  • My grandfather was a jack-of-all-trades who could fix plumbing, repair furniture, and maintain electrical appliances.
  • The small farm needed a jack-of-all-trades who could maintain machinery, repair fences, and handle general maintenance.

Related Words

  • DIY
  • maintenance
  • repairs
  • craftsmanship
  • mechanical skills
  • home improvement
  • troubleshooting
  • manual work
  • practical knowledge

1.3. Multiple professional roles and responsibilities

Used to describe someone who takes on several different responsibilities or professional roles, often managing diverse aspects of a business, organization, or project.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • specialist
  • single-task professional
  • narrow specialist

Examples

  • The event planner was a true jack-of-all-trades, coordinating everything from decorations to entertainment.
  • As the company's first employee, she became a jack-of-all-trades, handling marketing, administration, and customer support.
  • Working in a startup often requires employees to become jack-of-all-trades and take responsibility for several different functions.

Related Words