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

Synonyms of workmanlike

• virtuoso
• skillful
• masterful
• artistic
• smooth
• delicate
• expert

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

After his time in the NFL, Browner extended his playing days into both the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League, displaying the same workmanlike tenacity that had served him in his earlier years. —Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

The titanically prolific King is himself workmanlike on a sentence level, but his ideas have a way of slinking into the subconscious and taking root. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2025

Cootes made a solid, workmanlike first impression. —Harman Dayal, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

In its own terms, Black Rabbit is a workmanlike Jake, not a visionary Vince. —Judy Berman, Time, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for workmanlike

• businesslike
• ladylike
• motorbike
• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike
• dreamlike

Kids Definition

workmanlike

adjective

work·​man·​like ˈwərk-mən-ˌlīk 

: worthy of a good worker

did a workmanlike job on the boat