Well-done

adj.capable, joyfuleveryday

What it means

Completed with enough care and skill to merit approval.

Reach for it when giving straightforward praise to a finished task or piece of work

The repair was well-done, with every new joint labeled for future maintenance.

playful
nailed it
when energetic informal congratulations fit the relationship
not when Nailed it is too casual for an appraisal and can obscure specific feedback.
everyday
excellent
when the result clearly exceeds ordinary standards
not when Excellent is stronger and broader than approval for solid completed work.
everyday
solid
when dependable quality matters more than flair
not when Solid is restrained praise and may sound lukewarm in a celebration.
warm
admirable
when effort or conduct deserves personal respect
not when Admirable brings moral praise that may not fit a technical task.
professional
competent
when reliable adequacy should be recognized without exaggeration
not when Competent sounds cooler and fainter than a congratulatory well-done.
professional
skillful
when technique rather than the whole result deserves praise
not when Skillful execution can serve a poor plan, so it does not always make the job well-done.
formal
polished
when finish and presentation are notably refined
not when Polished work may conceal weak reasoning or construction.
literary
masterful
when control and exceptional skill are unmistakable
not when Masterful inflates routine professional work.

well-done job
The supervisor documented the well-done job and thanked the entire crew.
well-done repair
A well-done repair restored the window without erasing its original joinery.
simple but well-done
The presentation was simple but well-done, with one clear idea per slide.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.