workmanlike
adjective
work·man·like
ˈwərk-mən-ˌlīk 
: characterized by the skill and efficiency typical of a good workman
workmanlike thoroughness
also
: competent and skillful but not outstanding or original
an adequate … reporter who turned out workmanlike copy —
Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy Examples of workmanlike in a Sentence
He did a workmanlike job on the boat.
She showed workmanlike thoroughness in everything she did.
Recent Examples on the Web
Critics enamored with visionary artists like to think of Howard as a kind of anonymous, workmanlike filmmaker, but a distinctive sensibility does shine through in his movies.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
United were in possession again, slowly going from side to side, when the workmanlike Manuel Ugarte played a short, slightly aimless pass to Shaw, a good left-back but an average centre-back.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
In its own terms, Black Rabbit is a workmanlike Jake, not a visionary Vince.
—Judy Berman, Time, 7 Sep. 2025
Oasis, often workmanlike in their performances, have played the same set on every night of the Live ‘25 Tour, but no matter — each of the 23 songs landed with an ovation.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for workmanlike
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Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
United were in possession again, slowly going from side to side, when the workmanlike Manuel Ugarte played a short, slightly aimless pass to Shaw, a good left-back but an average centre-back.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
In its own terms, Black Rabbit is a workmanlike Jake, not a visionary Vince.
—Judy Berman, Time, 7 Sep. 2025
Oasis, often workmanlike in their performances, have played the same set on every night of the Live ‘25 Tour, but no matter — each of the 23 songs landed with an ovation.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for workmanlike
Cite this Entry
“Workmanlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/workmanlike. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
workmanlike
adjective
work·man·like
ˈwərk-mən-ˌlīk
: worthy of a good worker
did a workmanlike job on the boat
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