working

[wur-king]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that works.

2. operation; action.

   the involuted workings of his mind.

3. the process of shaping a material.

   The working of clay is easy when it's damp.

4. the act of manufacturing or building a thing.

5. Usually workings. a part of a mine, quarry, or the like, in which work is carried on.

6. the process of fermenting, as of yeasts.

7. a slow advance involving exertion.

8. disturbed or twisting motions.

   The working of his limbs revealed the disease.

9. repeated movement or strain tending to loosen a structural assembly or part.

adjective

1. that works.

2. doing some form of work or labor, especially manual, mechanical, or industrial work, as for a living.

   a working person.

3. operating; producing effects, results, etc.

4. pertaining to, connected with, or used in operating or working.

5. serving to permit or facilitate continued work.

   a working model; a working majority.

6. adequate for usual or customary needs.

   a working knowledge of Spanish.

   Synonyms: operative, practical, usable

7. large enough for working or being worked: worked.

   a working sample.

8. done, taken, etc., while conducting or discussing business.

   a working lunch.

9. Also (of a face or edge, as of a timber or a metal casting) shaped and planed as a reference for further shaping and planing.

working

/ ˈwɜːkɪŋ /

noun

1. the operation or mode of operation of something

2. the act or process of moulding something pliable

3. a convulsive or jerking motion, as from excitement

4. (often plural) a part of a mine or quarry that is being or has been worked

5. (plural) the whole system of excavations in a mine

6. a record of the steps by which the result of a calculation or the solution of a problem is obtained

   all working is to be submitted to the examiners

7. rare,  slow advance against or as if against resistance

adjective

1. relating to or concerned with a person or thing that works

   a working man

2. concerned with, used in, or suitable for work

   working clothes

3. (of a meal or occasion) during which business discussions are carried on

   working lunch

   working breakfast

4. capable of being operated or used

   a working model

5. sufficiently large or accurate to be useful or to accomplish a desired end

   a working majority

   a working knowledge of German

6. (of a theory, etc) providing a basis, usually a temporary one, on which operations or procedures may be carried out

Other Word Forms

• self-working adjective
• unworking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of working¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, working is from the Middle English word werking. See work, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

He started posting short-form videos of himself reading and sharing stories from working in a library.

From Los Angeles Times

They are fit and able to work, but are either not working or working with very low earnings.

From BBC

He had spent nearly two years as a deputy mayor in Bass’ office, working on issues such as police hiring, public safety spending and the search for a new police chief.

From Los Angeles Times

"They've been working really hard to address that with quite significant success."

From BBC

He said Sir Mel had been right to focus on cuts to working age benefits, where people "have got the opportunity to re-enter the workforce, improve their mental health" rather than pensions.

From BBC

Related Words

• alive 
• busy 
• employed 
• engaged 
• functioning 
• running