work

(noun, verb)

noun

1. activity directed toward making or doing something

- she checked several points needing further work

Definition categories: act, activity

2. a product produced or accomplished through the effort or activity or agency of a person or thing

- it is not regarded as one of his more memorable works

- the symphony was hailed as an ingenious work

- he was indebted to the pioneering work of John Dewey

Definition categories: man–made, product, production

3. the occupation for which you are paid

- a lot of people are out of work

Similar word(s): employment

Definition categories: act, business, job, line, occupation

4. applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading)

- mastering a second language requires a lot of work

Similar word(s): study

Definition categories: thought, acquisition, learning

5. (physics) a manifestation of energy; the transfer of energy from one physical system to another expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which it moves a body in the direction of that force

- work equals force times distance

Definition categories: phenomenon, energy

6. a place where work is done

- he arrived at work early today

Similar word(s): workplace

Definition categories: man–made

7. the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it)

- Picasso's work can be divided into periods

Similar word(s): oeuvre

Definition categories: man–made, output

Sentences with work as a noun:

- My work involves a lot of travel.

- He hasn’t come home yet, he’s still at work.

- Holding a brick over your head is hard work.  It takes a lot of work to write a dictionary.

- We know what we must do. Let's go to work.

- Work is done against friction to drag a bag along the ground.

- We don't have much time. Let's get to work piling up those sandbags.

- There's a lot of guesswork involved.

- We've got some paperwork to do before we can get started.  The piece was decorated with intricate filigree work.

- It is a work of art.

- the poetic works of Alexander Pope

- William the Conqueror fortified many castles, throwing up new ramparts, bastions and all manner of works.

verb

1. exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

- I will work hard to improve my grades

- she worked hard for better living conditions for the poor

Definition categories: social

2. be employed

- Is your husband working again?

- My wife never worked

- Do you want to work after the age of 60?

Definition categories: social

3. have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected

- The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought

- How does your idea work in practice?

- This method doesn't work

Similar word(s): act

Definition categories: social, succeed, win

4. perform as expected when applied

- This old radio doesn't work anymore

Similar word(s): function, go, operate, run

Definition categories: contact

5. shape, form, or improve a material

- work stone into tools

- work the metal

Similar word(s): process

Definition categories: creation, transform, transmute, transubstantiate

6. give a workout to

- My personal trainer works me hard

- work one's muscles

Similar word(s): exercise

Definition categories: body, work

7. proceed along a path

- work one's way through the crowd

Similar word(s): make

Definition categories: motion, pass

8. operate in a certain place, area, or specialty

- She works the night clubs

- The salesman works the Midwest

- This artist works mostly in acrylics

Definition categories: social, work

9. proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity

- work your way through every problem or task

- She was working on her second martini when the guests arrived

- Start from the bottom and work towards the top

Definition categories: social, go, move, proceed

10. move in an agitated manner

- His fingers worked with tension

Definition categories: motion, displace, move

11. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

- I cannot work a miracle

Similar word(s): bring, play, wreak

Definition categories: creation, create, make

12. cause to work

- he is working his servants hard

Definition categories: social, apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize

13. prepare for crops

- Work the soil

Similar word(s): crop, cultivate

Definition categories: creation, fix, prepare, ready, set

14. behave in a certain way when handled

- This dough does not work easily

- The soft metal works well

Definition categories: stative, be

15. have and exert influence or effect

- The artist's work influenced the young painter

- She worked on her friends to support the political candidate

Similar word(s): influence

Definition categories: social, affect, impact, touch

16. operate in or through

- Work the phones

Definition categories: social, operate, run

17. cause to operate or function

- This pilot works the controls

- Can you work an electric drill?

Definition categories: social, care, deal, handle, manage

18. provoke or excite

- The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy

Definition categories: perception, excite, stimulate, stir

19. gratify and charm, usually in order to influence

- the political candidate worked the crowds

Definition categories: emotion, becharm, beguile, bewitch, captivate, capture, catch, charm, enamor, enamour, enchant, entrance, fascinate, trance

20. make something, usually for a specific function

- Work the metal into a sword

Similar word(s): forge, form, mold, mould, shape

Definition categories: creation

21. move into or onto

- work the raisins into the dough

- the student worked a few jokes into his presentation

- work the body onto the flatbed truck

Definition categories: contact, displace, move

22. make uniform

- work the clay until it is soft

Similar word(s): knead

Definition categories: contact, manipulate

23. use or manipulate to one's advantage

- She knows how to work the system

- he works his parents for sympathy

Similar word(s): exploit

Definition categories: consumption, apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize

24. find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of

- Work out your problems with the boss

- this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out

- He could not work the math problem

Similar word(s): lick, solve

Definition categories: cognition, understand

25. cause to undergo fermentation

- The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats

Similar word(s): ferment

Definition categories: change, convert

26. go sour or spoil

- The wine worked

Similar word(s): ferment, sour, turn

Definition categories: change, turn

27. arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion

- The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times

Definition categories: change, become, get, go

Sentences with work as a verb:

- He’s working in a bar.

- I work in a national park;

- I work as a cleaner.

- she works for Microsoft;

- I work closely with my Canadian counterparts;

- he worked his way through the crowd;

- He worked the levers.

- The mine was worked until the last scrap of ore had been extracted.

- He used pliers to work the wire into shape.

- she works the night clubs;

- he pointed at the car and asked, "Does it work"?;

- They worked on her to join the group.

- A ship works in a heavy sea.

- this dough does not work easily;