adjective
businesslike
adjective
1
Efficient, practical, and serious in manner, the way a competent professional behaves.
"The meeting was short and businesslike, with no small talk."
"She dealt with the complaint in a calm, businesslike way."
How to Use Businesslike
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishActing efficiently and professionally rather than casually or emotionally.
Common pairings
a businesslike manner
businesslike approach
Word Forms
more businesslike comparative, most businesslike superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “businesslike”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The meeting was short and _____, with no small talk.
Etymology
From business plus -like.