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work

[ wurk ]

/ wɜrk /

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See synonyms for work on Thesaurus.com

noun

exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.

productive or operative activity.

employment, as in some form of industry, especially as a means of earning one's livelihood: to look for work.

one's place of employment: Don't phone him at work.

something on which exertion or labor is expended; a task or undertaking: The students finished their work in class.

materials, things, etc., on which one is working or is to work.

the result of exertion, labor, or activity; a deed or performance.

a product of exertion, labor, or activity: musical works.

Often works. an engineering structure, as a building or bridge.

a building, wall, trench, or the like, constructed or made as a means of fortification.

works,

(used with a singular or plural verb) a place or establishment for manufacturing (often used in combination): ironworks.
the working parts of a machine: the works of a watch.
Theology. righteous deeds.

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.

the works, Informal.

everything; all related items or matters: a hamburger with the works.
harsh or cruel treatment: to give someone the works.

adjective

of, for, or concerning work: work clothes.

working (def. 18).

verb (used without object), worked or (Archaic) wrought;working.

to do work; labor.

to be employed, especially as a means of earning one's livelihood: He hasn't worked for six weeks.

to be in operation, as a machine: The water should not be disconnected while the pump is working.

to act or operate effectively: We all agree that this plan works.

to attain a specified condition, as by repeated movement: The nails worked loose.

to have an effect or influence, as on a person or on the mind or feelings of a person.

to move in agitation, as the features under strong emotion.

to make way with effort or under stress: The ship works to windward.

Nautical. to give slightly at the joints, as a vessel under strain at sea.

Machinery. to move improperly, as from defective fitting of parts or from wear.

to undergo treatment by labor in a given way: This dough works slowly.

to ferment, as a liquid.

verb (used with object), worked or ( Archaic except for 29, 31, 34 ) wrought;working.

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.

to bring about (any result) by or as by work or effort: to work a change.

to manipulate or treat by labor: to work butter.

to put into effective operation.

to operate (a mine, farm, etc.) for productive purposes: to work a coal mine.

to carry on operations in (a district or region).

to make, fashion, or execute by work.

to achieve or win by work or effort: to work one's passage.

to keep (a person, a horse, etc.) at work: She works her employees hard.

to cause a strong emotion in: to work a crowd into a frenzy.

to influence or persuade, especially insidiously: to work other people to one's will.

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.

to make or decorate by needlework or embroidery: She worked a needlepoint cushion.

to cause fermentation in.

Verb Phrases

work in / into

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.
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.

work off,

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.
to pay or fulfill by working: He worked off his debt by doing odd jobs.

work on / upon to exercise influence on; persuade; affect: I'll work on her, and maybe she'll change her mind.

work out,

to bring about by work, effort, or action.
to solve, as a problem.
to arrive at by or as by calculation.
to pay (a debt) by working instead of paying money.
to exhaust, as a mine.
to issue in a result.
to evolve; elaborate.
to amount to (a total or specified figure); add up (to): The total works out to 176.
to prove effective or successful: Their marriage just didn't work out.
to practice, exercise, or train, especially in order to become proficient in an athletic sport: The boxers are working out at the gym tonight.

work over,

to study or examine thoroughly: For my term paper I worked over 30 volumes of Roman history.
Informal. to beat unsparingly, especially in order to obtain something or out of revenge: They threatened to work him over until he talked.

work through, to deal with successfully; come to terms with: to work through one's feelings of guilt.

work up,

to move or stir the feelings; excite.
to prepare; elaborate: Work up some plans.
to increase in efficiency or skill: He worked up his typing speed to 70 words a minute.

work up to, rise to a higher position; advance: He worked up to the presidency.

OTHER WORDS FOR work

2 industry, occupation, business.

3 job, trade, calling, vocation, profession.

5 enterprise, assignment, job, responsibility.

7 product, achievement, feat.

16 toil, drudge.

28 operate, manipulate, handle.

29 accomplish, effect, produce, achieve.

34 make, form, model, shape.

38 move, sway.

See synonyms for work on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR work

1 play, rest.

See antonyms for work on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR WORK

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QUIZ

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There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about work

at work,

working, as at one's job: He's at work on a new novel.
in action or operation: to see the machines at work.

gum up the works, Slang. 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.

in the works, in preparation or being planned: A musical version of the book is in the works.

make short work of, to finish or dispose of quickly: We made short work of the chocolate layer cake.

out of work, unemployed; jobless: Many people in the area were out of work.

shoot the works, Slang. to spend all one's resources: Let's shoot the works and order the crêpes suzette.

work it, Informal.

to arrange something: I'll try to work it so that we can all travel together.
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!

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

OTHER WORDS FROM work

nonwork, nounpre·work, verb, pre·worked or pre·wrought, pre·work·ing.prework, noun, adjective

Words nearby work

word wrap, word wrapping, wordy, wore, wore-out, work, workable, workaday, workaholic, workaround, work back

Other definitions for work (2 of 2)

Work

[ wurk ]

/ wɜrk /

noun

Henry Clay, 1832–84, U.S. songwriter.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WHEN TO USE

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.

How to use work in a sentence

I worked very loyally for him to do everything I could for him.
Former Pence aide says she will vote for Biden because of Trump’s ‘flat out disregard for human life’ during pandemic|Josh Dawsey|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Both are recovering well after their surgeries and are already back to work.
A Welcome Lifeline|Washington Regional Transplant Community|September 17, 2020|Washington Blade
The NBCU spokesperson said the company would work with each advertiser to decide how the data would be used and managed.
NBCUniversal tests new measurement program to prove it can push product sales for advertisers|Tim Peterson|September 17, 2020|Digiday
It works with the full-sized Smart Keyboard and the new Logitech keyboards.
Apple just announced a new iPad, iPad Air, and Apple Watch Series 6|Stan Horazek|September 15, 2020|Popular-Science

At Fortune, we’ve worked to make business better since our founding 90 years ago.
Announcing Fortune Connect, our new membership community|Alan Murray|September 15, 2020|Fortune
If anything the work the two cops and the maintenance guy were doing deserves more respect and probably helped a lot more people.
Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie|Arthur Chu|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Why, some might be asking, am I being so harsh on their work so soon after they died?
Trolls and Martyrdom: Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie|Arthur Chu|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“I love my job and I love my city and I am committed to the work here,” he said in a statement.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races|David Freedlander|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
So it might be me projecting my desires onto Archer to want to just get away from work for a few weeks.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
To make it work almost everything else about these shows has to seem factual which is why many look like a weird Celebrity Sims.
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Sleek finds it far harder work than fortune-making; but he pursues his Will-o'-the-Wisp with untiring energy.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
With him one is at high pressure all the time, and I have gained a good many more ideas from him than I can work up in a hurry.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
In fact, except for Ramona's help, it would have been a question whether even Alessandro could have made Baba work in harness.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
The sad end of the mission to King M'Bongo has been narrated in the body of this work.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Entrez donc, 'tis the work of one of your compatriots; and here, though a heretic, you may consider yourself on English ground.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various

British Dictionary definitions for work

work

/ (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 exertiona work of art

materials or tasks on which to expend effort or exertion

another word for workmanship (def. 3)

the place, office, etc, where a person is employed

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

an engineering structure such as a bridge, building, etc

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 forceAbbreviation: W, w

a structure, wall, etc, built or used as part of a fortification system

at work

at one's job or place of employment
in action; operating

make short work of informal to handle or dispose of very quickly

(modifier) of, relating to, or used for workwork clothes; a work permit

verb

(intr) to exert effort in order to do, make, or perform something

(intr) to be employed

(tr) to carry on operations, activity, etc, in (a place or area)that salesman works the southern region

(tr) to cause to labour or toilhe works his men hard

to operate or cause to operate, esp properly or effectivelyto work a lathe; that clock doesn't work

(tr) to till or cultivate (land)

to handle or manipulate or be handled or manipulatedto work dough

to shape, form, or process or be shaped, formed, or processedto work copper

to reach or cause to reach a specific condition, esp graduallythe rope worked loose

(tr) mainly US and Canadian to solve (a mathematical problem)

(intr) to move in agitationhis face worked with anger

(tr often foll by up) to provoke or arouseto work someone into a frenzy

(tr) to effect or accomplishto work one's revenge

to make (one's way) with efforthe worked his way through the crowd

(tr) to make or decorate by hand in embroidery, tapestry, etcshe was working a sampler

(intr) (of a mechanism) to move in a loose or otherwise imperfect fashion

(intr) (of liquids) to ferment, as in brewing

(tr) informal to manipulate or exploit to one's own advantage

(tr) slang to cheat or swindle

See also work back, work in, work off, work on, work out, work over, works, work up

Derived forms of work

workless, adjectiveworklessness, noun

Word Origin for work

Old English weorc (n), wircan, wyrcan (vb); related to Old High German wurchen, German wirken, Old Norse yrkja, Gothic waurkjan

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for work

work

[ 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. Compare energy power.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for work

work

In physics, the product of a force applied, and the distance through which that force acts.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with work

work

In addition to the idioms beginning with work

work both sides of the street
worked up, be
work in
work it
work like a beaver
work like a charm
work off
work on
work one's fingers to the bone
work one's way
work out
work over
work up
work wonders

also see:

all in a day's work
all work and no play
at work
busy work
dirty work
get down to (work)
good works
gum up (the works)
have one's work cut out
in the works
make short work of
many hands make light work
out of work
shoot the works
the works
turn (work) out all right

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.