Businesslike Meaning

/bˈɪznɪˌslaɪk/
C1

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

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adjMethodical and efficient, in a way that would be advantageous to a business or businessperson.

adjEarnest and practical without being distracted or enthusiastic.

The prime minister's businesslike approach to welfare reform earned him accolades among the upper class.
She approaches everything with a businesslike attitude.
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ manner in the meeting impressed the board with efficiency.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The meeting was very ____ and we finished all our work on time.

Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *bisīg Old English bisiġ Proto-Germanic *-in- Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Old English bisiġnes Middle English bisynes English business Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-West Germanic *-līk Old English -līċ Middle English -like English -like English businesslike From business + -like.

"The gunners stood by the guns waiting, and the ammunition waggons were at a business-like distance." — 1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann:
"Further along, the road passes a low E-shape of red-brick estate buildings, obviously modern, yet all of a piece with this sensible, attractive and businesslike village." — 1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 375, about Terling:
"Then, with a businesslike rigor, he grasped the outstretched palm of Casey DeSantis, Florida’s first lady." — 2024 November 1, Rebecca Davis O’Brien, “Did Ron DeSantis Shake His Wife’s Hand?”, in The New York Times:

Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words

CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ manner in the meeting impressed the board with efficiency.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The meeting was very ____ and we finished all our work on time.

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