verb
works; worked; working
to have a job [no obj]
to do things as part of your job [no obj]
[+ obj] :to do work in, on, or at (an area, event, etc.)
[no obj] :to do something that involves physical or mental effort
[+ obj] :to force (someone or something) to do something that involves physical or mental effort
[+ obj] :to use and control (something)
[no obj] :to perform or operate in the correct way
[no obj]
to have the intended effect or result
b always followed by an adverb or preposition :to have a particular effect or result
[+ obj] :to cause (something) to happen
to move (something) into or out of a particular position slowly or with difficulty [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to bring (something) into a desired shape or form by cutting it, pressing it, etc.
[+ obj] :to talk to and try to gain the friendship or support of (the people in a group)
work around
or chiefly Brit work round
[phrasal verb]
work around/round (something) :to organize things or proceed in a way that avoids (something, such as a problem)
work around/round to (something) :to start talking or writing about (a subject, issue, etc.) after talking or writing about other things
work at
[phrasal verb]
work at (something) :to make an effort to do (something) better
work in
[phrasal verb]
work (something) in or work in (something)
to add or include (something) in a conversation, essay, etc.
to stir or mix (something) into something
work (someone or something) in US :to make an amount of time available for (someone or something)
work into
[phrasal verb]
work (something) into (something)
to add or include (something) in (something)
to stir or mix (something) into (something)
work (someone) into (something) :to gradually cause (someone) to be in (an excited, angry, or frightened state)
work it/things
informal :to arrange your activities in a particular way so that it is possible for something to happen or be done
work off
[phrasal verb]
work off (something) or work (something) off
to pay (a debt) by working
to lose or get rid of (something) by physical activity
work on
[phrasal verb]
a work on (something) :to be in the process of making (something), doing (something), etc.
b work on doing (something) :to make an effort to do (something)
work on (someone) :to try to influence or persuade (someone) to do something
work out
[phrasal verb]
to perform athletic exercises in order to improve your health or physical fitness
to happen, develop, or end in a desired or successful way
to happen, develop, or end in a particular way or to have a particular result
work out (something) or work (something) out
to find or create (something, such as a solution or a plan) by thinking
to use mathematics to solve (something)
work (someone) out or work out (someone) Brit :to understand the behavior of (someone)
work over
[phrasal verb]
work (someone) over informal :to hurt (someone) by hitting, kicking, etc.
work through
[phrasal verb]
to deal with (something that is difficult or unpleasant) successfully
work to
[phrasal verb]
work to (something) chiefly Brit :to work within the limits of (something)
work up
[phrasal verb]
work (someone) up :to make (someone) feel very angry, excited, upset, etc.
work up (something) or work (something) up
to produce (something) by physical or mental effort
b chiefly Brit :to improve your skill at (something) or increase your knowledge of (something)
c chiefly Brit :to develop or expand (something) - usually + into
work up to (something) :to reach (something, such as a rate or level) by gradually increasing in speed, intensity, etc.
work wonders
work your fingers to the bone
work your magic
work your way
to move yourself into or out of a particular position slowly or with difficulty
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.
noun
plural works
[noncount] a job or activity that you do regularly especially in order to earn money
the place where you do your job
[noncount] the things that you do especially as part of your job
things (such as papers, files, etc.) that you use to do your job
[noncount] physical or mental effort that is used to perform a job or achieve a goal
the process or activity of working
Phrases like good work, nice work, etc., are used to tell people that they have done something very well.
[noncount] :something that is produced or done by someone
something (such as a book, song, or painting) that is produced by a writer, musician, artist, etc. [noncount]
works [plural] :roads, bridges, dams, and similar structures :structures that are built by engineers
works :a place where industrial labor is done :a factory [singular]
the works :the moving parts of a machine
the works informal :everything
[noncount] physics :the energy that is used when a force is applied over a given distance - see also piece of work
at work
actively doing work
doing your regular job
having an effect or influence
have your work cut out for you
If you have your work cut out for you, the thing you need to do is very difficult, and you have to work very hard to achieve it.
in the works
informal :in the process of being prepared, developed, or completed
in work
Brit :having a regular job
make short/quick/light work of
to make it possible for (something) to be done quickly or easily
The expression many hands make light work means that people can do things more quickly and easily when they work together.
to finish (something) or defeat (someone) quickly and easily
out of work
without a regular job
put/throw a spanner in the works
throw a wrench into the works
adjective
always used before a noun
suitable to be worn while you are working
used for work
of or relating to a person's job