1 work
Pronounced:
/ˈwɚk/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
works; worked; work·ingMeaning:
1 a : to have a job [no obj] ▪ 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.] [+ obj] ▪ 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 obj] ▪ 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] [+ obj] ▪ 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 [+ obj] : 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 obj] : 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 [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] : 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 obj] : 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 obj] 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 [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] ▪ She worked her foot into the shoe. ▪ The screw had worked itself loose. [=the screw had become loose] [no obj] ▪ The glue would stop the knot from working loose. [=from becoming loose] —see also work your way (below)
8 [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] : 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.]
2 a [no obj] : 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 [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] : 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 obj] : 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 obj] 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 [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] ▪ She worked her foot into the shoe. ▪ The screw had worked itself loose. [=the screw had become loose] [no obj] ▪ The glue would stop the knot from working loose. [=from becoming loose] —see also work your way (below)
8 [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] : 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 or chiefly Brit work round
[phrasal verb] 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.
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.
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.
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]
work off (something) or work (something) off 1 : 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.
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.
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) Brit : to understand the behavior of (someone) ▪ He does these crazy things, and I just can't work him out. [=figure him out]
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) Brit : 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 Brit : 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. ▪ Don't work yourself up again. —see also worked up
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 Brit : to improve your skill at (something) or increase your knowledge of (something) ▪ I need to work up my French for the exam. c chiefly Brit : 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.
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 Brit : to improve your skill at (something) or increase your knowledge of (something) ▪ I need to work up my French for the exam. c chiefly Brit : 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 —see 1wonder
work your fingers to the bone —see 1finger
work your magic —see 1magic
work your way
: to move yourself into or out of a particular position slowly or with difficulty ▪ 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. —sometimes used figuratively ▪ 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.