hackwork

[ hak-wurk ]
/ ˈhækˌwɜrk /

noun

writing, painting, or any professional work done for hire and usually following a formula rather than being motivated by any creative impulse.

Origin of hackwork

First recorded in 1850–55; hack2 + work

Example sentences from the Web for hackwork

  • He had in effect emancipated himself from hackwork, and could turn his attention to more congenial and ambitious labour.

    Turner |William Cosmo Monkhouse

British Dictionary definitions for hackwork

hackwork
/ (ˈhækˌwɜːk) /

noun

undistinguished literary work produced to order