work
37 ENTRIES FOUND:
- work (verb)
- work (noun)
- work (adjective)
- worked up (adjective)
- working (adjective)
- working capital (noun)
- working class (noun)
- working day (noun)
- working girl (noun)
- working papers (noun)
- working party (noun)
- working week (noun)
- work–shy (adjective)
- work–study program (noun)
- work–to–rule (noun)
- work camp (noun)
- work of art (noun)
- work release (noun)
- donkey work (noun)
- life's work (noun)
- out–of–work (adjective)
- piece of work (noun)
- public works (noun)
- social work (noun)
- bone (noun)
- charm (noun)
- finger (noun)
- get (verb)
- magic (noun)
- short (adjective)
- spanner (noun)
- stroke (noun)
- Trojan (noun)
- way (noun)
- wonder (noun)
- wrench (noun)
- yeoman (noun)
works;
worked;
working
works;
worked;
working
Britannica Dictionary definition of WORK
1
a
:
to have a job
[no object]
-
I started working when I was sixteen.
-
Her husband doesn't work.
-
She works part-time at the restaurant.
-
She has always wanted to work in advertising.
-
She works with me. = She and I work together. [=she and I have jobs at the same place]
-
men and women who work outside the home [=who have jobs in factories, restaurants, office buildings, etc.]
[+ object]
-
She has to work two jobs to support her family.
-
He works construction. [=he has a job in which he helps build things]
b
:
to do things as part of your job
[no object]
-
She worked through lunch to get the report done.
-
I'm not working tomorrow—the boss gave me the day off.
-
He works from home. [=his job allows him to stay home and do his work]
-
I work for him. [=I am his employee]
-
I work under her. [=she is my boss/supervisor]
[+ object]
-
He works about 60 hours a week.
-
The job requires that you work some nights and weekends.
-
She is used to working long hours.
c
[+ object]
:
to do work in, on, or at (an area, event, etc.)
-
She works the Northeast region of the state selling insurance.
-
He was hired as a sportscaster to work the games this season.
-
Crews work the quarry all day and night.
-
farmers working the fields
-
Our family has worked this land for centuries.
2
a
[no object]
:
to do something that involves physical or mental effort
-
She is working in the garden.
-
They worked all day (at) cleaning the house.
-
I can't work with all of this noise.
-
The principal worked hard to improve the school.
-
We're working toward a solution.
-
I enjoy working with my hands. [=using my hands to do or make things]
-
a sculptor who works in/with stone [=who makes things out of stone]
b
[+ object]
:
to force (someone or something) to do something that involves physical or mental effort
-
The exercise is designed to work the muscles in your chest.
-
The coach worked her team hard during practice.
-
She worked us into the ground. [=she made us work very hard and become very tired]
3
[+ object]
:
to use and control (something)
-
I don't know how to work your cell phone.
-
Who is working the machine?
-
The pump is worked by hand.
4
[no object]
:
to perform or operate in the correct way
-
The computer isn't working (properly).
-
Is the elevator working again?
-
I can't get this thing to work.
5
[no object]
a
:
to have the intended effect or result
-
The medicine seems to be working.
-
Their plan worked.
-
The idea sounds good in theory, but it will never work in practice.
-
The commercial doesn't work for me. [=I don't like it; it doesn't affect me the way it is supposed to]
-
a dish detergent that works like magic [=that is very effective]
b
always followed by an adverb or preposition
:
to have a particular effect or result
-
You need to do what works best for you.
-
Red curtains would work well in this room.
-
I think you'll get the job. Being bilingual definitely works in your favor. [=it helps or benefits you]
-
Her lack of experience worked against her in the election. [=it made her less likely to win in the election]
6
[+ object]
:
to cause (something) to happen
-
I'll do my best, but I can't work miracles. [=I can't make miracles happen]
-
He's a brilliant chef who works magic [=does special or remarkable things] with the most basic ingredients.
7
:
to move (something) into or out of a particular position slowly or with difficulty
—
see also work your way (below)
[+ object]
-
She worked her foot into the shoe.
-
The screw had worked itself loose. [=the screw had become loose]
[no object]
-
The glue would stop the knot from working loose. [=from becoming loose]
8
[+ object]
:
to bring (something) into a desired shape or form by cutting it, pressing it, etc.
-
Work the dough with your hands until it is smooth.
-
a blacksmith working a piece of iron
9
[+ object]
:
to talk to and try to gain the friendship or support of (the people in a group)
-
The singer worked the crowd throughout the whole concert.
-
He's a politician who really knows how to work a room. [=how to talk to the people in a room to get their support, approval, etc.]
work around
[phrasal verb] or chiefly British work round
1
work around/round (something)
:
to organize things or proceed in a way that avoids (something, such as a problem)
-
We'll just have to find a way to work around the problem.
2
work around/round to (something)
:
to start talking or writing about (a subject, issue, etc.) after talking or writing about other things
-
He eventually worked around to the company's financial situation.
work at
[phrasal verb]
work at (something)
:
to make an effort to do (something) better
-
He needs to work at his handwriting.
-
She has been working (harder) at controlling her temper.
work in
[phrasal verb]
1
work (something) in
or
work in (something)
a
:
to add or include (something) in a conversation, essay, etc.
-
During the speech, he worked in a few jokes.
-
She worked in several important points in her article.
b
:
to stir or mix (something) into something
-
Work in the blueberries.
2
work (someone or something) in
US
:
to make an amount of time available for (someone or something)
-
My schedule is pretty full, but I think I can work you in [=fit you in] at 11:30.
work into
[phrasal verb]
1
work (something) into (something)
a
:
to add or include (something) in (something)
-
You should work more fresh fruit into your diet.
-
She tried to find a way of working her question into the conversation.
b
:
to stir or mix (something) into (something)
-
Work the blueberries into the mixture.
2
work (someone) into (something)
:
to gradually cause (someone) to be in (an excited, angry, or frightened state)
-
The DJ worked the crowd into a frenzy.
-
He worked himself into a rage/panic.
work it/things
informal
:
to arrange your activities in a particular way so that it is possible for something to happen or be done
-
I'm supposed to be helping my sister that night, but I'll try to work things so that I can come to your party.
work off
[phrasal verb]
1
work off (something)
or
work (something) off
:
to pay (a debt) by working
-
She worked off her loan.
-
His parents are making him work off the cost of the bike he ruined.
2
:
to lose or get rid of (something) by physical activity
-
He walks every day to work the extra weight off.
-
Jogging is a great way to work off stress.
work on
[phrasal verb]
1
a
work on (something)
:
to be in the process of making (something), doing (something), etc.
-
The director is working on a new movie.
-
I worked on this physics problem for three hours.
-
He is in the garage working on the car.
-
Scientists are beginning to work on a cure.
b
work on doing (something)
:
to make an effort to do (something)
-
They are currently working on finding a cure. [=trying to find a cure]
-
You have to work on controlling your temper.
2
work on (someone)
:
to try to influence or persuade (someone) to do something
-
She is working on them to change their votes.
work out
[phrasal verb]
1
:
to perform athletic exercises in order to improve your health or physical fitness
-
She works out at the gym twice a week.
2
a
:
to happen, develop, or end in a desired or successful way
-
Our plan worked out perfectly.
-
We broke up because things didn't work out between us.
b
:
to happen, develop, or end in a particular way or to have a particular result
-
Despite some difficulties, everything worked out well.
-
Things don't always work out the way you want them to.
-
I'm not sure how the story will work out.
-
How is your new roommate working out? [=how are things going with your new roommate?]
-
It will work out (to be) cheaper [=it will be cheaper] if we take the bus instead of the train.
-
With tax, it worked out at/to just over $115. [=the total amount was just over $115]
3
work out (something)
or
work (something) out
a
:
to find or create (something, such as a solution or a plan) by thinking
-
I'm trying to work out [=figure out] a way to do it.
-
We worked out a plan to save money.
-
We'll work the details out later.
-
I don't know how you're going to get there. You have to work that out for yourself.
b
:
to use mathematics to solve (something)
-
She worked out the problem on a piece of paper.
4
work (someone) out
or
work out (someone)
British
:
to understand the behavior of (someone)
-
He does these crazy things, and I just can't work him out. [=figure him out]
work over
[phrasal verb]
work (someone) over
informal
:
to hurt (someone) by hitting, kicking, etc.
-
He looked like someone had worked him over [=beat him up] pretty good.
work through
[phrasal verb]
:
to deal with (something that is difficult or unpleasant) successfully
-
He saw a psychologist to help him work through his depression.
-
She worked through the pain without medication.
work to
[phrasal verb]
work to (something)
chiefly British
:
to work within the limits of (something)
-
We have to work to a very tight budget.
work up
[phrasal verb]
1
work (someone) up
:
to make (someone) feel very angry, excited, upset, etc.
—
see also worked up
-
Don't work yourself up again.
2
work up (something)
or
work (something) up
a
:
to produce (something) by physical or mental effort
-
I worked up a sweat at the gym.
-
He managed to work up the courage to ask her out on a date.
b
chiefly British
:
to improve your skill at (something) or increase your knowledge of (something)
-
I need to work up my French for the exam.
c
chiefly British
:
to develop or expand (something)
— usually + into
-
He worked up the short story into a novel.
3
work up to (something)
:
to reach (something, such as a rate or level) by gradually increasing in speed, intensity, etc.
-
The ship gradually worked up to full speed.
-
The story starts slow but works up to a brilliant conclusion.
work wonders
work your fingers to the bone
work your magic
work your way
:
to move yourself into or out of a particular position slowly or with difficulty
— sometimes used figuratively
-
The prisoner somehow worked his way out of the handcuffs.
-
I worked my way to the center of the crowd.
-
They started working their way cautiously down the side of the mountain.
-
He had worked his way into her heart.
-
She is slowly working her way to the top of the company.
◊ If you work your way through college/school, you have a job that helps you pay for your expenses while you go to college/school.
-
He is working his way through college.
2
work
/ˈwɚk/
noun
plural
works
2
work
/ˈwɚk/
noun
plural
works
Britannica Dictionary definition of WORK
1
[noncount]
a
:
a job or activity that you do regularly especially in order to earn money
—
see also life's work, social work
-
How is work [=your job] going?
-
She is trying to find work in publishing.
-
How long have you been looking for work?
-
He started work as a car salesman.
-
I know him through work.
-
When do you get off work? [=when do you stop working for the day?]
-
She goes to the gym after work. [=after she has finished working]
-
full-time/part-time work
-
She plans to return to work [=start working her job again] in four months.
-
What line of work is your wife in? = What does your wife do for work?
b
:
the place where you do your job
-
She didn't come to work today.
-
He left work a few minutes ago.
-
She's not here right now. She's at work.
-
We met at work.
-
She went out with her friends from work.
2
[noncount]
a
:
the things that you do especially as part of your job
-
Can you describe your work to the class?
-
A large part of the work is responding to e-mails.
-
administrative/secretarial work
-
My brother did the electrical work on the house.
-
After you finish your work, you can go outside and play.
-
I have a lot of work to do.
b
:
things (such as papers, files, etc.) that you use to do your job
—
see also donkey work, fieldwork, groundwork, homework, housework, legwork, paperwork, piecework, schoolwork
-
His work cluttered his desk.
-
She brought some work home with her from the office.
3
[noncount]
a
:
physical or mental effort that is used to perform a job or achieve a goal
-
Getting my PhD took a lot of work, but it was worth it.
-
Hard work is the key to success.
-
Careful police work led to the murderer's capture.
-
She hasn't done any work since she got here.
b
:
the process or activity of working
-
He plans to start work on a new novel soon.
-
The rain forced the crew to stop work on the building.
-
Work on the project is already underway. [=people have started working on the project]
-
You need to get down to work [=start working] if you want to finish the assignment on time.
-
She set to work [=started working] on the project immediately.
-
She diligently went about her work. [=did her work]
-
He was told to keep up the good work. [=to continue doing good work]
◊ Phrases like good work, nice work, etc., are used to tell people that they have done something very well.
-
“I finished the project ahead of schedule.” “Good work!”
4
a
[noncount]
:
something that is produced or done by someone
-
Some clever camera work gave the illusion that she was standing next to him.
-
The cabinets are the work of a skilled carpenter. [=the cabinets were made by a skilled carpenter]
-
The robberies were the work of [=were done by] the same gang.
b
:
something (such as a book, song, or painting) that is produced by a writer, musician, artist, etc.
—
see also artwork, handiwork, handwork
[noncount]
-
I love this painter's work.
-
the author's entire body of work
[count]
-
the complete/collected works of Charles Dickens
-
literary works
-
the painter's latest work
-
The painting is a work in progress. [=it is not yet finished]
5
works
[plural]
:
roads, bridges, dams, and similar structures
:
structures that are built by engineers
—
see also public works, waterworks
-
engineering works from the 19th century
6
works
:
a place where industrial labor is done
:
a factory
—
see also gasworks
[singular]
-
He got a job at a cement/lead/steel works.
[plural]
-
The local steel works have shut down.
7
the works
:
the moving parts of a machine
— sometimes used figuratively
-
the works of a clock
-
The office used to be very efficient, but the new regulations have gummed up the works. [=made the work more difficult and slow]
8
the works
informal
:
everything
-
They ordered a pizza with the works. [=with all the different toppings that were available]
-
When we went to New York, we visited the museums, did some shopping, saw some shows—the whole works.
9
[noncount]
physics
:
the energy that is used when a force is applied over a given distance
at work
1
a
:
actively doing work
-
He kept us hard at work but paid us well.
-
We're at work on the new project.
b
:
doing your regular job
-
He has been out with a back injury, but he'll be back at work soon.
2
:
having an effect or influence
-
She felt that a higher power was at work.
have your work cut out for you
◊ If you have your work cut out for you, the thing you need to do is very difficult, and you have to work very hard to achieve it.
-
She knew she had her work cut out for her, but she was willing to do whatever it took to succeed.
in the works
informal
:
in the process of being prepared, developed, or completed
-
Her next movie is already in the works.
-
Plans are in the works for building three new schools in the area.
in work
British
:
having a regular job
-
the percentage of people who are in work [=people who have jobs]
make short/quick/light work of
1
:
to make it possible for (something) to be done quickly or easily
-
This new snow shovel makes short work of clearing off the driveway.
◊ The expression many hands make light work means that people can do things more quickly and easily when they work together.
2
:
to finish (something) or defeat (someone) quickly and easily
-
She made short work of her opponents.
-
The kids made quick work of the french fries. [=the kids ate the french fries quickly]
-
He made light work of the problem. [=he solved the problem quickly and easily]
out of work
:
without a regular job
-
The factory closed and left/put 5,000 people out of work.
-
He has been out of work since January. [=he has not had a job since January]
put/throw a spanner in the works
throw a wrench into the works
—
see also piece of work
3
work
/ˈwɚk/
adjective
3
work
/ˈwɚk/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of WORK
always used before a noun
1
:
suitable to be worn while you are working
-
work clothes/boots
2
:
used for work
-
a clean work surface/table
3
:
of or relating to a person's job
-
What does your work schedule look like this week?
-
a 12-hour work shift
-
There is a place to list your work experience [=the jobs that you have had] on the application.
-
My parents both had a very strong work ethic. [=a strong belief in the value and importance of work]
-
She filed for a work permit. [=an official document that shows that a person is allowed to work]
