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Synonyms

works

British  
/ wɜːks /

plural noun

  1. (often functioning as singular) a place where a number of people are employed, such as a factory

  2. the sum total of a writer's or artist's achievements, esp when considered together

    the works of Shakespeare

  3. the deeds of a person, esp virtuous or moral deeds performed as religious acts

    works of charity

  4. the interior parts of the mechanism of a machine, etc

    the works of a clock

  5. informal in preparation

  6. See spanner

  7. slang

    1. full or extreme treatment

    2. a very violent physical beating

      to give someone the works

  8. slang a syringe

  9. (modifier) of or denoting a racing car, etc, that is officially entered by a manufacturer in an event

    a works entry

"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

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.

But I meet Michele and I said, 'well, I see how this works', and I changed it.

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2025

Burning Man Leftovers: These sculptures lack the gaudy grandeur of their relatives that are displayed annually at the festival in the Nevada desert but retain those works’ air of muesli-munching elitism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

If Montecito residents want to do landscaping on a public right-of-way legally, homeowners may apply for an encroachment permit, according to the public works’ letter.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2024

"The question of 'if DLE works' is gone now. It's an engineering challenge. It's not a technological challenge," said E3's Doornbos.

From Reuters • Sep. 13, 2023

And, besides, by ‘their works’ ye shall know them.”

From The Betrothed From the Italian of Alessandro Manzoni by Manzoni, Alessandro

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