Workmanship

/ˈwɜːrkmənʃɪp/

nounmedium📊CommonQuality
1 meaning2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

1

The skill or expertise with which something is made or done.

/ˈwɜːrkmənʃɪp/

nounpositivemedium
Quality

Skill or quality of work

The antique furniture displayed exquisite workmanship.

💡 Simply: It's like when someone makes something really well, like a beautiful piece of furniture or a perfectly built model airplane. Workmanship is how good the person is at their job!

👶 For kids: How good a person is at doing their work, like building a toy or drawing a picture.

More Examples

2

The judges praised the car's superior workmanship.

3

The intricate details of the sculpture showed careful workmanship.

How It's Used

Construction

"The craftsmanship of the house was exceptional, showcasing fine workmanship."

Art

"The artist's meticulous attention to detail was evident in his flawless workmanship."

Idioms & expressions

a work of art

Something that is aesthetically pleasing or exceptionally well-executed.

"The intricate details of the sculpture made it a true work of art."

the tools of the trade

The necessary equipment or skills for a particular job or profession.

"For a carpenter, a saw and hammer are the tools of the trade."

From Middle English *werkemanship*, equivalent to *work* + *man* + *-ship*. The suffix *-ship* indicates a state, condition, or skill.

The term has been used since the 16th century to describe the quality of craftsmanship in various fields.

Memory tip

Think of a workshop where skilled craftspeople meticulously create things. Workmanship is the quality of their output.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"The action or process of working skillfully."

good workmanshipfine workmanshipexcellent workmanshippoor workmanshipshoddy workmanship

Common misspellings

workmenshipworkmansshipworkmanshipp

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written