businesslike

[biz-nis-lahyk]

adjective

1. conforming to, attending to, or characteristic of business.

2. efficient, practical, or realistic.

3. capable but unenthusiastic.

businesslike

/ ˈbɪznɪsˌlaɪk /

adjective

1. efficient and methodical

2. earnest or severe

Other Word Forms

• unbusinesslike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of businesslike¹

First recorded in 1785–95; business + -like

Example Sentences

Mrs. Clarke’s tone was reassuring, but she had a businesslike look about her, for there was much to be done.

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For a later scene when Man-soo is strolling, businesslike, toward his first attempted murder, Lee improvised a spastic callback to the earlier snake moment.

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“She wasn’t being egotistical. It was very businesslike, a moment of power, and I was like, ‘I want to have that power.’”

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The senior Ukrainian source told AFP that the tone of rhetoric between the White House and Kyiv was now "very businesslike."

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“He’s businesslike and focused, and very serious about what he does,” said Mike Van Winkle, a spokesman for the California Department of Justice.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• diligent 
• disciplined 
• earnest 
• expeditious 
• matter-of-fact 
• methodical 
• orderly 
• practical 
• purposeful 
• serious 
• thorough