workaday

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "workaday" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is ordinary, mundane, or routine, often in contrast to something special or extraordinary. Example: "Despite the workaday nature of his job, he found joy in the small accomplishments each day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Candidate Clinton feels different, political analysts and media observers say, from the workaday secretary of state who filled that office from 2009 to 2013 or from the more timidly progressive candidate voters got to know in 2008 – one whose presumptuous designs on the general election left her vulnerable on the left in the primary.

The Guardian

Simple, workaday stuff is mostly fine, but it's still there: wobbly, weak and winceful.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Reading obituaries of gifted, productive and distinguished men and women, I'm often struck by how many of them have come from the workaday England that lies beyond London and the home counties: a classical musician born in Halifax, a historian raised in Mansfield, and so on.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are no preparation for the workaday reality of more localised politics.

The Economist

Still, even if the vegetables are overdone and the chicken somewhat workaday, the price for this feast―which includes two rounds of fresh naan and two sodas―is $11. My friend and I had stopped at a midtown bar on the way to the subway; a beer and a whiskey had cost us $16.50.As we rise to leave, a Three Stooges movie (dubbed in Bengali, of course) replaces the minatory hajji.

The Economist

Later, what he learned about the close loyalties of elephant families sustained him through his troubles.Virginia Morrell, whose biography of the Leakey family, "Ancestral Passions", came out in 1995, has refashioned Mr Leakey's usually workaday prose into a fine and imposing narrative of a heroic life in a continent all too short of heroes, black or white.

The Economist

But they are involved, despite themselves, in workaday ways that, perhaps, resonate all the more tellingly with the reader.

The Economist

He became a symbol of the Polish struggle for liberty in the face of political oppression.With such a heroic past, the church found it hard to return to a more workaday role after communism had gone.

The Economist

Even more workaday acts of remote warfare such as when drone operators shoot missiles or spy on enemies confound today's commanders, who are unsure how to rank them alongside acts involving physical risk.With this in mind, the defence secretary, Chuck Hagel, has launched a year-long review of military awards and decorations.

The Economist

CHINA'S SOPHISTICATED HACKERS may be the terror of the Earth, but in fact most of their attacks are rather workaday.

The Economist

Under high-tech-sounding headings—"intelligent transportation systems" in America, "telematics" in Europe—hundreds of separate projects are under way to apply advanced computing and telecommunications to the workaday task of getting around town.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance your writing by using "workaday" to add a subtle layer of meaning when describing routine tasks, emphasizing their lack of glamour or uniqueness.

Common error

While "workaday" describes something as ordinary, it doesn't convey details like size, color, or speed. Choose a more descriptive word when those specifics are important to your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "workaday" primarily functions to describe something as ordinary, routine, or related to daily work. It often implies a contrast with something more exciting or exceptional. Ludwig AI's analysis of examples shows its common usage in contexts where the mundane nature of a task or object is emphasized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "workaday" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes something as ordinary or routine, particularly in the context of daily work or life. According to Ludwig AI, it often serves to contrast the mundane with the exceptional. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication, with a strong presence in news and media sources. While "workaday" effectively conveys a sense of ordinariness, consider more specific adjectives if descriptive details are required. Related alternatives include "ordinary", "mundane", and "routine", depending on the specific nuance you wish to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordinary

Replaces "workaday" with a more general term for commonness.

mundane

Emphasizes the dull or unexciting quality, similar to one aspect of "workaday".

routine

Highlights the repetitive and predictable nature, a common characteristic of "workaday" tasks.

everyday

Focuses on the frequency and common occurrence, aligning with the 'day' aspect of "workaday".

commonplace

Indicates that something is frequently seen or experienced, similar to "workaday".

typical

Suggests conformity to a standard or norm, akin to the ordinariness of "workaday".

conventional

Implies adherence to established practices, reflecting the routine aspect of "workaday".

unremarkable

Stresses the lack of distinction or interest, a key feature of "workaday" scenarios.

run-of-the-mill

A more idiomatic way to express ordinariness, similar in meaning to "workaday".

garden-variety

Another idiomatic term emphasizing commonness and lack of special qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "workaday" in a sentence?

"Workaday" is typically used as an adjective to describe something that is ordinary, mundane, or related to daily work. For example, "Despite the "workaday" nature of his job, he found joy in the small accomplishments."

What's a good substitute for "workaday"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "mundane", "ordinary", "routine", or "everyday" to replace "workaday".

Is "workaday" formal or informal?

"Workaday" is generally considered a neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in written English than in casual speech.

What does "workaday world" mean?

The phrase "workaday world" refers to the ordinary, everyday aspects of life, especially those related to work and daily routines. It often contrasts with more exciting or exceptional experiences.