workmanlike

or work·man·ly

[ wurk-muhn-lahyk ]

/ ˈwɜrk mənˌlaɪk /

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adjective

like or befitting a workman.

skillful; well executed: a workmanlike piece of writing.

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Origin of workmanlike

First recorded in 1400–50, workmanlike is from the late Middle English word werkmanlike.See workman, -like

OTHER WORDS FROM workmanlike

un·work·man·like, adjectiveun·work·man·ly, adjective

Words nearby workmanlike

work-life balance, work like a beaver, work like a charm, workload, workman, workmanlike, workmanship, workmate, workmen's compensation, workmen's compensation insurance, work of art

How to use workmanlike in a sentence

These are characters we’ve seen before, given no additional depth by workmanlike scripts.
Nine Perfect Strangers Is a Master Class From Some of Hollywood’s Finest Actors— But Not Much More|Judy Berman|August 17, 2021|Time
It’s a bit like “Ghost of Tsushima,” workmanlike in its premise, but expertly executed.
‘Immortals: Fenyx Rising’ is a worthy adventure wavering between cringe and charm|Gene Park|November 30, 2020|Washington Post
Remember the first Walkman, introduced in 1979, with its tubby buttons and workmanlike profile.
Space Shuttle Enterprise: Flashback to an Icon of ‘70s Design|Blake Gopnik|July 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Romney, by contrast, gave a smooth but workmanlike speech that barely contained a personal touch.
Romney Edges Santorum in Ohio Cliffhanger on Super Tuesday|Howard Kurtz|March 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Its components were simple, inelegant, and, by Western standards, of seemingly workmanlike craftsmanship.
The Story of Saddam's Gun Collection|C.J. Chivers|October 28, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The buildings are upon a very large scale; but too much was attempted for them to execute any thing in a workmanlike manner.
Travels through the South of France and the Interior of Provinces of Provence and Languedoc in the Years 1807 and 1808|Lt-Col. Pinkney
The ready-made rolls, moreover, were put together in a most workmanlike manner.
The Private Life of the Romans|Harold Whetstone Johnston
She was turned out in what one might have called workmanlike fashion, although neat and wholly feminine.
The Way of a Man|Emerson Hough
Still we raced on, neck and neck, she riding with hands low and weight slightly forward, workmanlike as a jockey.
The Way of a Man|Emerson Hough
Whichever of the two produces the better results will have the more workmanlike look and be in the better form.
Horsemanship for Women|Theodore Hoe Mead

British Dictionary definitions for workmanlike

workmanlike

less commonly workmanly (ˈwɜːkmənlɪ)

/ (ˈwɜːkmənˌlaɪk) /

adjective

appropriate to or befitting a good workman

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012