workaday

[ wur-kuh-dey ]

adjective

1. of or befitting working days; characteristic of a workday and its occupations.
2. ordinary; commonplace; everyday; prosaic.

workaday

/ ˈwɜːkəˌdeɪ /

adjective

1. being a part of general human experience; ordinary
2. suitable for working days; everyday or practical

Word History and Origins

Origin of workaday¹

1150–1200; alteration (probably after nowadays ) of earlier worky-day workday, alteration (by association with holiday ) of Middle English werkeday, obscurely derived from work and day

Example Sentences

“He wanted to present himself as among ‘the best and the brightest,’ not some common plebe who’d held workaday jobs,” Garrow said of Obama’s first run for the presidency.

From Los Angeles Times

Based on son Marcelo’s 1983 memoir, the film, marked by stellar performances from Mello, Torres and the rest of the cast, as well as Salles’ keen eye for workaday beauty, becomes a moving chronicle of the 25-year effort to hold the state accountable for Rubens’ killing — and a frightening parable of creeping authoritarianism that transcends national borders.

From Los Angeles Times

The dark pantsuit was, with all due respect, rather workaday, and her hair was just her usual superb hair and the jewelry was understated, and in every way Harris looked like she might have looked if she were trying a big case or running a Senate committee hearing.

From Slate

The boring, workaday tasks of running his career and mindfully negotiating parenthood with Taketa are among the episodic A-plots leading the season.

From Salon

In the beginning, there was the wharf, the rudimentary, workaday pier built to get goods from here to there.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• businesslike
• constructive
• down-to-earth
• efficient
• factual
• feasible
• functional
• possible
• practicable
• pragmatic
• rational
• reasonable
• sane
• sensible
• sober
• workable