work
noun
Trivia Time
In physics, what unit measures work?
work
1 American
[wurk]
/ wɜrk /
noun
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works
plural
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exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.
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productive or operative activity.
- Synonyms:
- business, occupation, industry
-
employment, as in some form of industry, especially as a means of earning one's livelihood.
to look for work.
- Synonyms:
- profession, vocation, calling, trade, job
-
one's place of employment.
Don't phone him at work.
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something on which exertion or labor is expended; a task or undertaking.
The students finished their work in class.
- Synonyms:
- responsibility, job, assignment, enterprise
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materials, things, etc., on which one is working or is to work.
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the result of exertion, labor, or activity; a deed or performance.
- Synonyms:
- feat, achievement, product
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a product of exertion, labor, or activity.
musical works.
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Often works. an engineering structure, as a building or bridge.
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a building, wall, trench, or the like, constructed or made as a means of fortification.
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works,
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(used with a singular or plural verb) a place or establishment for manufacturing (often used in combination).
ironworks.
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the working parts of a machine.
the works of a watch.
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Theology. righteous deeds.
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Physics. force times the distance through which it acts; specifically, the transference of energy equal to the product of the component of a force that acts in the direction of the motion of the point of application of the force and the distance through which the point of application moves.
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Informal. the works,
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everything; all related items or matters.
a hamburger with the works.
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harsh or cruel treatment.
to give someone the works.
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adjective
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of, for, or concerning work.
work clothes.
verb (used without object)
-
works,
present (3rd person singular)
-
worked,
past participle, past
-
wrought,
past participle, past (Archaic)
-
working
present participle
-
to do work; labor.
-
to be employed, especially as a means of earning one's livelihood.
He hasn't worked for six weeks.
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to be in operation, as a machine.
The water should not be disconnected while the pump is working.
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to act or operate effectively.
We all agree that this plan works.
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to attain a specified condition, as by repeated movement.
The nails worked loose.
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to have an effect or influence, as on a person or on the mind or feelings of a person.
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to move in agitation, as the features under strong emotion.
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to make way with effort or under stress.
The ship works to windward.
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Nautical. to give slightly at the joints, as a vessel under strain at sea.
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Machinery. to move improperly, as from defective fitting of parts or from wear.
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to undergo treatment by labor in a given way.
This dough works slowly.
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to ferment, as a liquid.
verb (used with object)
-
works,
present (3rd person singular)
-
worked,
past participle, past
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wrought,
past participle, past (Archaic)
-
working
present participle
-
to use or manage (an apparatus, contrivance, etc.).
It is easy to work the camera in this mobile device.
She can work many power tools.
- Synonyms:
- handle, manipulate, operate
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to bring about (any result) by or as by work or effort.
to work a change.
- Synonyms:
- achieve, produce, effect, accomplish
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to manipulate or treat by labor.
to work butter.
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to put into effective operation.
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to operate (a mine, farm, etc.) for productive purposes.
to work a coal mine.
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to carry on operations in (a district or region).
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to make, fashion, or execute by work.
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to achieve or win by work or effort.
to work one's passage.
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to keep (a person, a horse, etc.) at work.
She works her employees hard.
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to cause a strong emotion in.
to work a crowd into a frenzy.
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to influence or persuade, especially insidiously.
to work other people to one's will.
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Informal. to exploit (someone or something) to one's advantage.
See if you can work your uncle for a new car. He worked his charm in landing a new job.
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to make or decorate by needlework or embroidery.
She worked a needlepoint cushion.
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to cause fermentation in.
verb phrase
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work on / upon to exercise influence on; persuade; affect.
I'll work on her, and maybe she'll change her mind.
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work up
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to move or stir the feelings; excite.
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to prepare; elaborate.
Work up some plans.
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to increase in efficiency or skill.
He worked up his typing speed to 70 words a minute.
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-
work up to rise to a higher position; advance.
He worked up to the presidency.
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work out
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to bring about by work, effort, or action.
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to solve, as a problem.
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to arrive at by or as by calculation.
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to pay (a debt) by working instead of paying money.
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to exhaust, as a mine.
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to issue in a result.
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to evolve; elaborate.
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to amount to (a total or specified figure); add up (to).
The total works out to 176.
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to prove effective or successful.
Their marriage just didn't work out.
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to practice, exercise, or train, especially in order to become proficient in an athletic sport.
The boxers are working out at the gym tonight.
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work over
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to study or examine thoroughly.
For my term paper I worked over 30 volumes of Roman history.
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Informal. to beat unsparingly, especially in order to obtain something or out of revenge.
They threatened to work him over until he talked.
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work in / into
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to bring or put in; add, merge, or blend.
The tailor worked in the patch skillfully. Work the cream into the hands until it is completely absorbed.
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to arrange a time or employment for.
The dentist was very busy, but said she would be able to work me in late in the afternoon. They worked him into the new operation.
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work off
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to lose or dispose of, as by exercise or labor.
We decided to work off the effects of a heavy supper by walking for an hour.
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to pay or fulfill by working.
He worked off his debt by doing odd jobs.
-
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work through to deal with successfully; come to terms with.
to work through one's feelings of guilt.
idioms
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shoot the works, to spend all one's resources.
Let's shoot the works and order the crêpes suzette.
-
out of work, unemployed; jobless.
Many people in the area were out of work.
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make short work of, to finish or dispose of quickly.
We made short work of the chocolate layer cake.
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at work,
-
working, as at one's job.
He's at work on a new novel.
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in action or operation.
to see the machines at work.
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-
work it,
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to arrange something.
I'll try to work it so that we can all travel together.
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to show off one’s body or clothing to best effect, often through movement or posing.
The models were working it on the runway.
Work it on the dance floor, baby!
-
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gum up the works, to spoil something, as through blundering or stupidity.
The surprise party was all arranged, but her little brother gummed up the works and told her.
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in the works, in preparation or being planned.
A musical version of the book is in the works.
Work
2
American
[wurk]
/ wɜrk /
noun
work
British
/ wɜːk /
noun
-
physical or mental effort directed towards doing or making something
-
paid employment at a job or a trade, occupation, or profession
-
a duty, task, or undertaking
-
something done, made, etc, as a result of effort or exertion
a work of art
-
materials or tasks on which to expend effort or exertion
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another word for workmanship
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the place, office, etc, where a person is employed
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any piece of material that is undergoing a manufacturing operation or process; workpiece
-
-
decoration or ornamentation, esp of a specified kind
-
( in combination )
wirework
woolwork
-
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an engineering structure such as a bridge, building, etc
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Abbreviation: W, w. physics the transfer of energy expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which its point of application moves in the direction of the force
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a structure, wall, etc, built or used as part of a fortification system
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at one's job or place of employment
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in action; operating
-
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informal to handle or dispose of very quickly
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(modifier) of, relating to, or used for work
work clothes
a work permit
verb
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(intr) to exert effort in order to do, make, or perform something
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(intr) to be employed
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(tr) to carry on operations, activity, etc, in (a place or area)
that salesman works the southern region
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(tr) to cause to labour or toil
he works his men hard
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to operate or cause to operate, esp properly or effectively
to work a lathe
that clock doesn't work
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(tr) to till or cultivate (land)
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to handle or manipulate or be handled or manipulated
to work dough
-
to shape, form, or process or be shaped, formed, or processed
to work copper
-
to reach or cause to reach a specific condition, esp gradually
the rope worked loose
-
(tr) to solve (a mathematical problem)
-
(intr) to move in agitation
his face worked with anger
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to provoke or arouse
to work someone into a frenzy
-
(tr) to effect or accomplish
to work one's revenge
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to make (one's way) with effort
he worked his way through the crowd
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(tr) to make or decorate by hand in embroidery, tapestry, etc
she was working a sampler
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(intr) (of a mechanism) to move in a loose or otherwise imperfect fashion
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(intr) (of liquids) to ferment, as in brewing
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informal (tr) to manipulate or exploit to one's own advantage
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slang (tr) to cheat or swindle
work
Scientific
/ wûrk /
-
The transfer of energy from one object to another, especially in order to make the second object move in a certain direction. Work is equal to the amount of force multiplied by the distance over which it is applied. If a force of 10 newtons, for example, is applied over a distance of 3 meters, the work is equal to 30 newtons per meter, or 30 joules. The unit for measuring work is the same as that for energy in any system of units, since work is simply a transfer of energy.
work
Cultural
work
More Idioms
Usage
What are other ways to say work? The noun work refers to the exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something. When should you use work instead of drudgery, labor, or toil? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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worksimple
-
workssimple
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have workedperfect
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have wroughtperfect
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has workedperfect
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has wroughtperfect
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am workingprogressive
-
are workingprogressive
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is workingprogressive
-
have been workingperfect progressive
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has been workingperfect progressive
Past
-
workedsimple
-
wroughtsimple
-
had workedperfect
-
had wroughtperfect
-
was workingprogressive
-
were workingprogressive
-
had been workingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of work
First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English worke, Old English worc, replacing Middle English werk(e), Old English weorc, cognate with Old Frisian, Old Saxon werk, Old High German werah, werc ( German Werk ), Old Norse verk, Greek érgon; (verb) Middle English worken, derivative of the noun, replacing Middle English wyrchen, Old English wyrcean; cognate with German wirken, Old Norse verkja, Gothic waurkjan
Explanation
The word work has many shades of meaning, but most involve putting in an effort of some sort. You're not going to become an Olympic ice skater overnight. You'll need to do a serious amount of work to get there. When you say you have to go to work, work is a noun meaning your workplace. The actual tasks you perform at your workplace — what you get paid for — are also called work. Your work might consist of answering the phone or baking bread or doing the accounting. Work can also be a verb describing doing some kind of activity, often one associated with your job. It's a bummer to work on Saturday when you already worked all week.
Vocabulary lists containing work
Word Generation Science - Energy
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Force and Motion (Mechanics) - Middle School
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Force and Motion (Mechanics) - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
That is especially true, added Parks, if Apple’s hub and its companion LG devices just work easily.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
The next morning the app allowed me to unlock an adapter on the charger so the Tesla station would work with my Kia.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
The communication between Ohtani and the team on injuries has been a work in progress in his third year with the Dodgers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
“On two occasions in November and December 2018, I brought water home from work, and my mother used that water to cook congee,” she wrote in the paper.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
All my hard work helping him get to this point will have been for nothing.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
The Department for Work and Pensions assesses a claimant’s form, followed by an interview.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
Work published in Machine Learning with Applications in September 2026 explored another possibility: using artificial intelligence to estimate knee loading from acceleration measurements collected at the foot.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
Wells story, “The Man Who Could Work Miracles,” about an ordinary guy bestowed with world-altering powers by the gods.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
"Work is ongoing within Queen's to do this," an email to staff said.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
Work, during this time, felt like a distraction—the thing we had to do before we were allowed to charge back toward each other again.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
The BBC's China correspondent Stephen McDonell visits a company that does just that, to see how their business works.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Felipe earns some money programming for clients in Miami while Tejeda works at children's parties to scrape some cash, but most young people have not escaped the pangs of Cuba's economic crisis.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
Grossman calls Albuquerque “an artist’s artist,” citing her openness about how she works and her generosity toward other artists.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
I don’t want to be the guy who works until 70 on top of millions because he’s afraid of a future that may never arrive.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
“Her mind is blown, but she’s probably stopped believing that you’re a secret prince who works as an international spy who’s also in witness protection.”
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
He worked at a charter school as a technology teacher and robotics coach.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
“We certainly had a lot of communication with him throughout the year, and worked together really well in terms of how to go about this,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said in late September.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
A Royal Mail spokesperson said the company always worked to ensure all mail - both letters and parcels - were delivered on time.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
A LinkedIn account matching Alfozan's name and resume show that he previously worked at Facebook-owner Meta, as well as an AI startup and a venture capital firm.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
Laughing at my own overwrought imagination, I moistened the paper in the basin water and worked the stamp gently free.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Powerful waves thrashed communities along California's southern coast Friday, damaging homes and sending water cascading through streets as residents braced for more potential damage wrought by Tropical Storm Rachel.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
“Kevin Sun I.” captures the flow of his band in performance yet achieves its most memorable aspects through carefully wrought post-production.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Alice’s humanity is defined by her total rejection of the manufactured digital world and the havoc its creators wrought.
From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026
He largely espouses esoteric prognostications of how 8 billion human deaths could be wrought by hostile machines, and even though many that admit this outcome is unlikely, it takes up a lot of their attention.
From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026
Padva, pausing to admire one in ivory satin delicately covered with black velvet fretwork, like wrought iron in long scrolling lines and curves.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
"Officers working at the park responded to an incident involving a male guest on a roller coaster," it said in a statement on Tuesday.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
A spokeswoman for the bank said in a statement it had already been working with regulators for years and had invested billions of dollars to comply with anti-money-laundering rules.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026
Felipe taught himself how to program as a teenager and is developing his own game, although he acknowledges that working in Cuba throws up constant obstacles.
From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026
Caruso said he brought up the Bay Theater over lunch last year with David Ellison, chief executive of Skydance, who was then working to acquire Paramount.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
It’s the first watercolor that I’ve ever attempted, that I’ve spent the last few weekends working on, before and after my shifts at the marina.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
