If you describe something as workmanlike, you mean that it has been done quite well and sensibly, but not in a particularly imaginative or original way.
Really it's a workmanlike conference rather than a dramatic one.
The script was workmanlike at best.
Synonyms: efficient, professional, skilled, expert More Synonyms of workmanlike
workmanlike in British English
(ˈwɜːkmənˌlaɪk) or less commonly workmanly (ˈwɜːkmənlɪ)
adjective
appropriate to or befitting a good workman
workmanlike in American English
(ˈwɜrkmənˌlaɪk)
adjective
characteristic of a good workman; skillful
: also ˈworkmanly
Examples of 'workmanlike' in a sentence
workmanlike
Victory there was workmanlike rather than brilliant.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But workmanlike is sometimes not enough to bowl out good batsmen on good pitches.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It was a workmanlike effort for a man who had just had one week's holiday.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This biography is short, sound and workmanlike rather than a sparkling text.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The play is workmanlike rather than inspired, and has real difficulty with endings.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
Wolves have only had one opportunity so it was a good, workmanlike performance away from home.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It was a workmanlike performance.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
PUT in a workmanlike performance without really hitting the heights for England.
The Sun (2011)
A workmanlike performance from the Spaniard in the centre of midfield.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They hardly set the world on fire with their workmanlike 1-0 win over Croatia.
The Sun (2006)
The master's voice The writing throughout was workmanlike rather than inspired.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The band's workmanlike performance frequently looked like bored autopilot, while each number sounded more generic than the last.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
(adjective)
Definition
skilfully done
craftsmen who do a consistent, workmanlike job
Synonyms
efficient
a highly efficient worker
professional
She told me we'd done a really professional job.
skilled
skilled workers, such as plumbers
expert
The faces of the waxworks are modelled by expert sculptors.
masterly
They gave a masterly performance.
careful
He decided to prosecute her after careful consideration of all the facts.
satisfactory
thorough
The men were expert, thorough and careful.
tasty (British, informal)
skilful
his skilful use of light and shade
adept
He is an adept guitar player.
painstaking
Police carried out a painstaking search of the area.
proficient
Many Egyptians are proficient in foreign languages.
Opposites
cowboy (informal)
,
careless
,
incompetent
,
clumsy
,
unprofessional
,
amateurish
,
slipshod
,
slap-dash
,
unskilful
,
botchy
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adept
Definition
proficient in something requiring skill
He is an adept guitar player.
Synonyms
skilful,
able,
skilled,
expert,
masterly,
practised,
accomplished,
versed,
tasty (British, informal),
masterful,
proficient,
adroit,
dexterous
in the sense of careful
Definition
very exact and thorough
He decided to prosecute her after careful consideration of all the facts.
Synonyms
thorough,
full,
particular,
accurate,
precise,
intensive,
in-depth,
meticulous,
conscientious,
attentive,
exhaustive,
painstaking,
scrupulous,
assiduous
in the sense of expert
Definition
skilful or knowledgeable
The faces of the waxworks are modelled by expert sculptors.
Synonyms
skilful,
trained,
experienced,
able,
professional,
skilled,
master,
masterly,
qualified,
talented,
outstanding,
clever,
practised,
accomplished,
handy,
competent,
tasty (British, informal),
apt,
adept,
knowledgeable,
virtuoso,
deft,
proficient,
facile,
adroit,
dexterous,
leet (slang)
Nearby words of
workmanlike
workforce
working
workman
workmanlike
workmanship
workout
works
Synonyms of 'workmanlike'
workmanlike
Explore 'workmanlike' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of masterly
Definition
showing great skill
They gave a masterly performance.
Synonyms
skilful,
skilled,
expert,
finished,
fine,
excellent,
crack (informal),
supreme,
clever,
superior,
world-class,
exquisite,
tasty (British, informal),
adept,
consummate,
first-rate,
superlative,
masterful,
adroit,
dexterous
in the sense of painstaking
Definition
extremely careful and thorough
Police carried out a painstaking search of the area.
Synonyms
thorough,
careful,
meticulous,
earnest,
exacting,
strenuous,
conscientious,
persevering,
diligent,
scrupulous,
industrious,
assiduous,
thoroughgoing,
punctilious (formal),
sedulous
in the sense of professional
Definition
displaying a high level of competence or skill
She told me we'd done a really professional job.
Synonyms
expert,
experienced,
finished,
skilled,
masterly,
efficient,
crack (slang),
polished,
practised,
ace (informal),
accomplished,
slick,
competent,
tasty (British, informal),
adept,
proficient
in the sense of proficient
Definition
skilled
Many Egyptians are proficient in foreign languages.