work
to do a job that you are paid for
Where do you work?
Oxford Essential Dictionary
verb (works, working, worked )
1 to be busy doing or making something:
You will need to work hard if you want to pass the exam.
I'm going to work on my essay this evening.
2 to do something as a job and get money for it:
Susy works for the BBC.
I work at the car factory.
3 to go correctly or to do something correctly:
We can't watch TV – it isn't working.
How does this camera work?
4 to make something do something:
Can you show me how to work the coffee machine?
5 to have the result you wanted:
I don't think your plan will work.
work out
1 to have the result you wanted:
I hope things work out for you.
2 to do exercises to keep your body strong and well:
She works out every day.
work something out to find the answer to something:
We worked out the cost of the holiday.
Why did she do it? I can't work it out.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
work
I. work1 S1 W1 /wɜːk $ wɜːrk/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: work, workaholic, worker, working, WORKINGS; adjective: workable ≠ unworkable, overworked, working; verb: work, rework]
[Language: Old English; Origin: wyrcan]
1. DO A JOB FOR MONEY [intransitive] to do a job that you are paid for:
Where do you work?
Many young people in the area have never worked.
The injury means he’ll probably never work again.
work for
He works for a law firm.
work at/in
I work at the university.
work as
She works as a consultant for a design company.
work in industry/education/publishing etc
The studies were undertaken by people working in education.
work part-time/full-time
I work part-time in a library.
2. DO YOUR JOB [intransitive and transitive] to do the activities and duties that are part of your job:
Sally isn’t working tomorrow.
Staff will have to get used to a new way of working.
work with
One of the women I work with is getting married this weekend.
work under somebody (=have someone who is in charge of you)
Each site has a fully trained team who work under a site manager.
work days/nights/weekends etc
I get paid more if I work nights.
We’re sometimes expected to work twelve-hour days.
Are you working late (=working after the time you usually finish) again tonight?
Forty police officers are working round the clock (=working day and night without stopping) to find Murray’s killer.
Nowadays, many people are able to work from home.
3. HELP [intransitive] if you work with someone or a group of people, your job involves trying to help them
work with/among
She’s just retired after 38 years working with children.
He has worked among some of the world’s poorest people.
4. DO AN ACTIVITY [intransitive] to spend time and effort doing something:
I’ve been working in the garden all afternoon.
I’m going to have to work really hard to pass these exams.
We’re working together to develop a new system.
5. TRY TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING [intransitive] to try continuously to achieve a particular thing
work towards
They are working towards a solution to their problems.
work for
We will work for the release of the hostages.
work to do something
The police are working to provide more help for victims of crime.
The company is working hard to improve its image.
He worked tirelessly (=worked very hard in a determined way) for the charity throughout his life.
6. MACHINE/EQUIPMENT
a) [intransitive] if a machine or piece of equipment works, it does what it is supposed to do:
You should check that the smoke alarm is working properly.
The delete key doesn’t work.
get something to work
I can’t get the heater to work.
b) [transitive] to make a machine or piece of equipment do what it is supposed to do:
My parents can’t even work the video.
7. BE EFFECTIVE/SUCCESSFUL [intransitive] to be effective or successful:
Making a marriage work can take a lot of effort.
I’ve never found a diet that works.
The recipe works just as well if you use margarine instead of butter.
The cream works immediately to relieve sore skin.
work for
You need to find which method works best for you.
work against
a drug that works against some types of cancer
8. HAVE AN EFFECT [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if something such as a fact, situation, or system works in a particular way, it has a particular effect on someone or something:
The arrangement works well for everyone involved.
The French team are the heavier crew, which should work in their favour (=help them).
Sexism still works against (=harms or causes problems for) women in many professions.
Loyalty works both ways (=involves two opposite or matching effects): we are loyal to our employees and, in turn, they are loyal to us.
9. ART/STYLE/LITERATURE [intransitive] if a painting, design, piece of writing etc works, it is successful because it has the effect on you that the painter, writer etc intended:
I don’t think the scene with the horses really works, do you?
work for
The colour combination just doesn’t work for me.
10. SHAPE/CUT SOMETHING [transitive] if you work a material such as metal, leather, or clay, you cut, sew, or shape it in order to make something
11. USE A SUBSTANCE [intransitive] to use a particular material or substance in order to make something such as a picture, design, jewellery etc
work in/with
a sculptor who works in steel
a jeweller who works with silver
12. work your way to/through etc something
a) to move somewhere slowly and with difficulty:
From here, we worked our way carefully across the rock base.
b) to achieve something gradually by working:
He had worked his way up to head of department.
13. work your way through school/college/university etc to do a job while you are a student because you need the money to pay for your courses, books etc
14. MOVE GRADUALLY [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move into a particular state or position very gradually, either in a series of small movements or after a long time:
Slowly he worked the screwdriver into the crack.
work (its way) loose
One of the screws must have worked loose.
15. EXERCISE [transitive] to use and exercise a muscle or part of your body:
Swimming is a form of exercise that works every muscle in your body.
16. MOVE [intransitive and transitive] formal if a part of your body works or you work it, it moves:
She was trembling and her mouth was working.
17. WORK IN AN AREA [transitive] if you work a particular area or type of place, you travel around the area for your job, or work in that type of place:
Markowitz works the Tri-State area.
18. work the door to take tickets from people as they enter a club, theatre etc:
Binns worked the door at various Manhattan clubs.
19. ENTERTAIN A CROWD [transitive] if an entertainer or politician works a crowd of people, they entertain them and get their interest or support:
She really knew how to work a crowd.
20. LAND/SOIL [transitive] if you work the land, soil etc, you do all the work necessary to grow crops on it:
He was left to work the farm alone.
21. MINE [transitive] to remove a substance such as coal, gold, or oil from under the ground
22. work like magic/work like a charm (also work a treat British English) to be very effective:
a polish that works a treat on windows
23. MIND/BRAIN [intransitive] if your mind or brain is working, you are thinking or trying to solve a problem
24. work on the principle/assumption/basis etc that to base ideas, plans etc on a particular fact that you think is true:
We’re working on the assumption that the conference will take place in Canada, as planned.
25. work yourself into a frenzy/panic/state etc to make yourself become very nervous, angry etc:
He seemed to be working himself into a rage.
26. work it/things spoken to make arrangements for something to happen, especially by behaving in a clever or skilful way:
We should try and work it so that we can all go together.
27. work the system to understand how a system works so that you can get advantages for yourself, often in a slightly dishonest way:
Lynn could show the rest of us how to work the system.
28. work somebody hard (also work somebody into the ground informal) to make someone work very hard:
The coach has been working us really hard this week.
People have complained that they are being worked into the ground.
work yourself into the ground
I’ve worked myself into the ground setting up this interview.
29. work your fingers to the bone (also work your socks off informal) to work very hard
30. work your butt/ass/arse off not polite to work very hard
31. CALCULATE [transitive] American English formal to calculate the answer to a mathematical problem
32. work to rule British English to protest about a situation at work by doing your job slowly, with the excuse that you must obey all the rules exactly
33. It works for me spoken used to say that something is very suitable for you and does exactly what you wanted or expected:
I meditate and do Yoga every day. It works for me and I think it could work for you too.
⇨ work wonders at ↑wonder2(4), ⇨ work miracles at ↑miracle(4), ⇨ work your magic at ↑magic1(5)
work around somebody/something (also work round somebody/something British English) phrasal verb
to arrange or organize something so that you avoid problems that may stop you from doing something:
John won’t be here on the 15th so we’ll have to work round that.
work around to something (also work round to something British English) phrasal verb
to gradually mention a subject in a conversation or piece of writing, especially because it is embarrassing:
You’ll have to work round to the subject gradually.
work at something phrasal verb
to try hard to improve something or achieve something:
Learning a language isn’t easy. You have to work at it.
work at doing something
couples who want to work at improving their relationship
work somebody/something in phrasal verb
1. work something ↔ in (also work something into something) to include something in a speech, piece of writing, activity etc:
He managed to work in a few references to his new book.
Here are a few goodies you can work into your daily diet.
2. work something ↔ in (also work something into something) to add one substance to another and mix them together in a very thorough way:
Work the butter into the flour.
3. American English spoken to arrange to meet someone, even though you are very busy SYN fit somebody in British English:
My schedule’s pretty full, but I think I can work you in.
work something ↔ off phrasal verb
1. to get rid of something, especially a feeling such as anger, nervousness etc, by doing something that uses a lot of your energy:
Walking is excellent for working off tension.
I need to go and work off a few of these calories.
2. to do a job for someone else because you owe them money or because they have helped you in the past:
She hasn’t worked off her debts to me yet.
work on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to spend time working in order to produce or repair something:
He has spent the last two years working on a book about childcare.
Every weekend you see him working on his car.
2. to try very hard to improve or achieve something:
A trainer has been brought in to work on her fitness.
work on doing something
We need to work on ensuring that the children feel safe and confident.
3. to try continuously to influence someone or persuade them to do something:
You leave him to me. I’ll work on him.
work out phrasal verb
1. PLAN work something ↔ out to think carefully about how you are going to do something and plan a good way of doing it:
UN negotiators have worked out a set of compromise proposals.
work out what/where/how etc
We need to work out how we’re going to get there.
I had it all worked out (=had made very careful plans).
2. CALCULATE work something ↔ out to calculate an answer, amount, price etc:
See if you can work this bill out.
work out how much/how many etc
We’ll have to work out how much food we’ll need for the party.
3. UNDERSTAND work something ↔ out especially British English to think about something and manage to understand it:
The plot is very complicated – it’ll take you a while to work it out.
work something out for yourself
I’m sure you can work it out for yourself.
4. COST if a cost or amount works out at a particular figure, it is found to be that much when you calculate it
work out at/to £10/$500 etc
The bill works out at £15 each.
work out expensive/cheap etc (=be expensive or cheap)
If we go by taxi, it’s going to work out very expensive.
5. GET BETTER if a problem or complicated situation works out, it gradually gets better or gets solved:
Things will work out, you’ll see.
I hope it all works out for Gina and Andy.
work itself out
I’m sure everything will work itself out.
6. HAPPEN if a situation works out in a particular way, it happens in that way SYN turn out
work out well/badly
Financially, things have worked out well for us.
7. EXERCISE to make your body fit and strong by doing exercises:
He works out with weights twice a week. ⇨ ↑workout
8. I can’t work somebody out British English spoken used to say that you cannot understand what someone is really like or why they behave in the way they do:
I couldn’t work her out at all.
9. be worked out if a mine is worked out, all the coal, gold etc has been removed from it
work somebody over phrasal verb informal
to attack someone by hitting them several times
work through phrasal verb
1. work through something to deal with problems or unpleasant feelings:
After someone dies, it can take a long time to work through your grief.
2. if the result or effect of something works through, it becomes noticeable:
The positive effect on businesses may take up to three years to work through.
work up phrasal verb
1. work up enthusiasm/interest/courage etc to make yourself feel interested, brave etc:
I’m trying to work up enough courage to go to the dentist.
2. work up an appetite/a thirst/a sweat to make yourself hungry or ↑thirsty, or make yourself ↑sweat, especially by doing physical exercise:
You can work up a really big thirst playing tennis.
3. work somebody up to make someone very angry, excited, or upset about something
work yourself up
You’re working yourself up again.
She had worked herself up into a state. ⇨ ↑worked up
4. work something ↔ up to develop and improve something such as a project or a piece of writing:
Jack took notes which he would work up into a report later.
work up to something phrasal verb
to gradually prepare yourself to do something difficult
work up to doing something
He’d been working up to asking her for a date all week.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
work
work [work works worked working] verb, noun [wɜːk] [wɜːrk]
verb
DO JOB/TASK
1. intransitive to do sth that involves physical or mental effort, especially as part of a job
• I can't work if I'm cold.
• ~ at sth I've been working at my assignment all day.
• ~ on sth He is working on a new novel.
• She's outside, working on the car.
• + noun Doctors often work very long hours.
2. intransitive to have a job
• Both my parents work.
• ~ for sb/sth She works for an engineering company.
• ~ in sth I've always worked in education.
• ~ with sb/sth Do you enjoy working with children?
• ~ as sth My son is working as a teacher.
MAKE EFFORT
3. transitive ~ yourself/sb + adv./prep. to make yourself/sb work, especially very hard
• She works herself too hard.
4. intransitive to make efforts to achieve sth
• ~ for sth She dedicated her life to working for peace.
• ~ to do sth The committee is working to get the prisoners freed.
• The police and the public need to work together to combat crime.
MANAGE
5. transitive ~ sth to manage or operate sth to gain benefit from it
• to work the land (= grow crops on it, etc.)
• He works a large area (= selling a company's goods, etc.).
• (figurative) She was a skilful speaker who knew how to work a crowd (= to excite them or make them feel sth strongly).
MACHINE/DEVICE
6. intransitive to function; to operate
• The phone isn't working.
• It works by electricity.
• Are they any closer to understanding how the brain works?
7. transitive ~ sth to make a machine, device, etc. operate
• Do you know how to work the coffee machine?
• The machine is worked by wind power.
HAVE RESULT/EFFECT
8. intransitive to have the result or effect that you want
• The pills the doctor gave me aren't working.
• My plan worked, and I got them to agree.
• ~ on sb/sth His charm doesn't work on me (= does not affect or impress me).
9. intransitive to have a particular effect
• ~ against sb Your age can work against you in this job.
• ~ in sb's favour Speaking Italian should work in his favour.
10. transitive ~ sth to cause or produce sth as a result of effort
• You can work miracles with very little money if you follow our home decoration tips.
USE MATERIAL
11. transitive to make a material into a particular shape or form by pressing, stretching, hitting it, etc
• ~ sth to work clay
• to work gold
• ~ sth into sth to work the mixture into a paste
12. intransitive ~ in/with sth (of an artist, etc.) to use a particular material to produce a picture or other item
• an artist working in oils
• a craftsman working with wool
OF PART OF FACE/BODY
13. intransitive (formal) to move violently
• He stared at me in horror, his mouth working.
MOVE GRADUALLY
14. intransitive, transitive to move or pass to a particular place or state, usually gradually
• + adv./prep. It will take a while for the drug to work out of your system.
• ~ your way + adv./prep. (figurative) He worked his way to the top of his profession.
• ~ yourself/sth + adj. I was tied up, but managed to work myself free.
• + adj. The screw had worked loose.
Rem: Most idioms containing work are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example work your fingers to the bone is at finger.
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
Old English weorc (noun), wyrcan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch werk and German Werk, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek ergon.
Culture:
voluntary work
Voluntary work is work that you do not get paid for and usually involves doing things to help other people, especially the elderly or the sick, or working on behalf of a charity or similar organization. Most charitable organizations rely on unpaid volunteers, and thousands of Americans and British people give many hours of their time to doing some form of social work or organizing fund-raising events to support the work. Volunteering is especially popular in the US and the reasons for this may be found in basic American values such as the Protestant work ethic, the idea that work improves the person who does it, and the belief that people can change their condition if they try hard enough.
Volunteering is usually enjoyable, as people choose jobs close to their personal interests. For instance, people who like animals may volunteer in an animal shelter, a place for animals which have been treated cruelly. Some voluntary work is short-term, e.g. when people from a community get together to create a park. Other work is longer term, such as that of the US organization Habitat for Humanity which builds houses for poor people. Parents often volunteer at their children’s schools, and do things like building a play area or raising money for new equipment. Young people are also encouraged to do voluntary work. Schoolchildren visit old people in hospitals or homes, and students at college often raise money for charities. In the US young people over 18 can take part in AmeriCorps, a government programme that encourages them to work as volunteers for a period of time, with the promise of help in paying for their education later. Older Americans who do not work may spend much of their free time volunteering.
In Britain a lot of voluntary work is directed towards supporting the country’s social services. The WRVS and other organizations run a meals-on-wheels service in many parts of Britain, providing hot food for old people who are unable to cook for themselves. The nationwide Citizens Advice Bureau, which offers free advice to the public on a wide range of issues, is run mainly by volunteers, and the Blood Transfusion Service relies on voluntary blood donors to give blood for use in hospitals. Political parties use volunteers at election time, and Churches depend on volunteers to keep buildings clean.
Both Britain and the US have organizations dedicated to helping people overseas. Britain’s Voluntary Service Overseas sends people to work in developing countries for up to two years to share their skills with the local population. The US Peace Corps has similar aims and programmes.
Example Bank:
• A lot of mothers choose to work part-time.
• An architect must work within the confines of the laws of physics.
• Emergency teams were working around the clock to make the homes secure.
• Employees are motivated to work harder for a whole host of different reasons.
• Everything worked very smoothly.
• He was found to be working illegally and was deported.
• He's working as a teacher at the moment.
• Her strategy worked like a charm.
• His age worked against him.
• I needed a job which would enable me to work at home.
• I prefer to work as part of a team.
• I told her I didn't think things would work out between us.
• I work more efficiently on my own.
• I work primarily with young children.
• I've spent three hours working at this problem.
• It all worked out as we planned.
• My limbs seemed to be working independently of each other.
• She works directly with customers.
• She works for an oil company.
• The fact that you are experienced should work in your favour.
• The fish's eyes can work independently of each other.
• They are all working towards/toward a common goal.
• Things worked out well for Janet in the end.
• This all works out to around $11 000.
• We are actively working to increase the number of women in science.
• We are working on plans for a new swimming pool.
• We have proved that different groups can work harmoniously together.
• We worked steadily away all morning.
• You can make your youth work to your advantage.
• people who have worked closely together over a period of time
• the people you work with
• Boys who didn 1 t go to school worked the land with their fathers.
• He says they're working him hard.
• I can't work if I'm cold.
• I've always worked in education.
• I've been working at my assignment all day.
• Increased measures to keep out unwanted foreigners work to the disadvantage of genuine refugees.
• She's outside, working on the car.
• The phone isn't working.
• The police and public need to work together to combat crime.
Idioms: all work and no play ▪ at work ▪ get to to work ▪ give somebody the works ▪ go about your work ▪ good works ▪ have your work cut out ▪ in the works ▪ work it ▪ work of a moment/second
Derived: work at something ▪ work on somebody ▪ work on something ▪ work out ▪ work round to somebody ▪ work somebody out ▪ work somebody over ▪ work somebody up ▪ work something in ▪ work something into something ▪ work something off ▪ work something out ▪ work something up ▪ work something up into something ▪ work to something ▪ work towards something ▪ work up to something
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
work / wɜːk / / wɝːk / verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] (HAVE EFFECT)
B1 to be effective or successful:
Her idea for reorganizing the department will never work in practice .
The tablets will start to work in a few minutes.
Some people think I'm weird doing meditation, but it works for me and that's all that matters.
Arguably, the monarchy worked well for many centuries.
work / wɜːk / / wɝːk / verb [ I or T ] (DO JOB)
A1 to do a job, especially the job you do to earn money, or to make someone do a job:
He works at the local hospital.
She worked as a cleaner at the hospital.
Mike works for a computer company.
It's not unusual for a junior doctor to work a 70 or sometimes an 80-hour week.
Have you any experience of working with children who have learning difficulties?
The instructors worked us very hard on the survival course.
→ See also work to rule ( ˌ work-to- ˈ rule)
work / wɜːk / / wɝːk / verb [ I or T ] (OPERATE)
A2 If a machine or device works, it operates, especially correctly and without failure, and if you work it, you make it operate:
Our phone isn't working.
You need a team of about twelve people to work a furnace this size.
The pump works off/on (= uses) wind power.
The pump is worked by (= uses to operate) wind power.
I can't get the radio to work.
work / wɜːk / / wɝːk / verb [ I or T , + adv/prep ] (SUCCEED IN BECOMING)
to succeed gradually in becoming something or cause a person or thing to become something, either by making an effort or by making many small movements:
He started as a technician and worked his way up through the company to become managing director.
Eventually she worked her way through (= read) the huge amount of technical papers.
Vibration tends to make nuts and screws work them selves loose .
The screws had worked loose over time.
work / wɜːk / / wɝːk / verb [ T ] informal (ARRANGE)
to arrange for something to happen, especially by not using official methods and/or by being clever:
I don't know how she worked it , but she retired at 50 on a full salary.
Can we work things (out) so that there's always someone here to answer the phone during office hours?
work / wɜːk / / wɝːk / verb [ T ] (SHAPE)
to shape, change, or process a substance:
Working iron requires higher temperatures than bronze.
Gently work the butter into the flour until there are no lumps left.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
work
[wɜ͟ː(r)k]
♦
works, working, worked
1) VERB People who work have a job, usually one which they are paid to do.
[V prep/adv] Weiner works for the US Department of Transport...
[V prep/adv] I started working in a recording studio...
[V prep/adv] Where do you work?...
[V as n] He worked as a bricklayer's mate...
I want to work, I don't want to be on welfare.
2) N-UNCOUNT: oft in/out of N People who have work or who are in work have a job, usually one which they are paid to do.
Fewer and fewer people are in work...
I was out of work at the time...
She'd have enough money to provide for her children until she could find work...
What kind of work do you do?
3) VERB When you work, you do the things that you are paid or required to do in your job.
I can't talk to you right now - I'm working...
He was working at his desk...
[V n] Some firms expect the guards to work twelve hours a day.
4) N-UNCOUNT Your work consists of the things you are paid or required to do in your job.
We're supposed to be running a business here. I've got work to do...
I used to take work home, but I don't do it any more...
There have been days when I have finished work at 2pm.
...an image of teaching which highlighted the stressful and difficult aspects of the teacher's work.
5) VERB When you work, you spend time and effort doing a task that needs to be done or trying to achieve something.
[V prep] Linda spends all her time working on the garden...
[V prep] While I was working on my letter the telephone rang...
[V prep] Leonard was working at his German. His mistakes made her laugh...
[V prep] The most important reason for coming to university is to work for a degree...
[V prep] The government expressed hope that all the sides will work towards a political solution.
N-UNCOUNT
Work is also a noun. There was a lot of work to do on their house... We knew we would have to organise the wedding but we hadn't appreciated how much work was involved... He said that the peace plan would be rejected because it needed more work.
6) N-UNCOUNT: usu to/at N Work is the place where you do your job.
Many people travel to work by car...
She told her friends at work that she was trying to lose weight.
7) N-UNCOUNT: oft poss/adj N Work is something which you produce as a result of an activity or as a result of doing your job.
It can help to have an impartial third party look over your work...
Tidiness in the workshop is really essential for producing good work...
That's a beautiful piece of work. You should be proud of it.
8) N-COUNT: usu with supp A work is something such as a painting, book, or piece of music produced by an artist, writer, or composer.
In my opinion, this is Rembrandt's greatest work...
Under his arm, there was a book which looked like the complete works of Shakespeare...
The church has several valuable works of art.
9) VERB If someone is working on a particular subject or question, they are studying or researching it.
[V on n] Professor Bonnet has been working for many years on molecules of this type.
N-UNCOUNT
Work is also a noun. Their work shows that one-year-olds are much more likely to have allergies if either parent smokes.
10) VERB If you work with a person or a group of people, you spend time and effort trying to help them in some way.
[V with/among n] She spent a period of time working with people dying of cancer...
[V with/among n] He knew then that he wanted to work among the poor.
N-UNCOUNT: with supp, usu poss N, N with/among n
Work is also a noun. ...a highly respected priest who is noted for his work with the poor... She became involved in social and relief work among the refugees.
11) VERB If a machine or piece of equipment works, it operates and performs a particular function.
The pump doesn't work and we have no running water...
Is the telephone working today?...
[V prep/adv] Ned turned on the lanterns, which worked with batteries...
[V prep/adv] How does the gun work?
12) VERB If an idea, system, or way of doing something works, it is successful, effective, or satisfactory.
95 per cent of these diets do not work...
If lust is all there is to hold you together, the relationship will never work...
I shouldn't have come, I knew it wouldn't work...
[V adv] A methodical approach works best.
13) VERB If a drug or medicine works, it produces a particular physical effect.
I wake at 6am as the sleeping pill doesn't work for more than nine hours...
[V prep/adv] The drug works by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain.
14) VERB If something works in your favour, it helps you in some way. If something works to your disadvantage, it causes problems for you in some way.
[V prep] One factor thought to have worked in his favour is his working class image...
[V prep] This obviously works against the interests of the child.
15) VERB If something or someone works their magic or works their charms on a person, they have a powerful positive effect on them.
[V n on n] Nevertheless, she is always optimistic about the possibilities and can work her charm on the disenchanted...
[V n] Our spirits rallied as the bitter-sweet alcohol worked its magic.
16) VERB If your mind or brain is working, you are thinking about something or trying to solve a problem.
My mind was working frantically, running over the events of the evening.
17) VERB If you work on an assumption or idea, you act as if it were true or base other ideas on it, until you have more information.
[V on n] We are working on the assumption that it was a gas explosion.
18) VERB If you work a particular area or type of place, you travel around that area or work in those places as part of your job, for example trying to sell something there.
[V n] Brand has been working the clubs and the pubs since 1986, developing her comedy act...
[V n] This is the seventh year that he has worked the streets of Manhattan.
19) VERB If you work someone, you make them spend time and effort doing a particular activity or job.
[V n adv/prep] They're working me too hard. I'm too old for this...
[V n adv/prep] They didn't take my father away, but kept him in the village and worked him to death. [Also V n]
20) VERB If someone, often a politician or entertainer, works a crowd, they create a good relationship with the people in the crowd and get their support or interest.
[V n] The Prime Minister has an ability to work a crowd - some might even suggest it is a kind of charm...
[V n] He worked the room like a politician, gripping hands, and slapping backs.
21) VERB When people work the land, they do all the tasks involved in growing crops.
[V n] Farmers worked the fertile valleys.
Syn:
farm
22) VERB When a mine is worked, minerals such as coal or gold are removed from it.
[be V-ed] The mines had first been worked in 1849, when gold was discovered in California...
[V n] Only an agreed number of men was allowed to work any given seam at any given time.
23) VERB If you work a machine or piece of equipment, you use or control it.
[V n] Many adults still depend on their children to work the video.
Syn:
operate
24) VERB If something works into a particular state or condition, it gradually moves so that it is in that state or condition.
[V adj] It's important to put a locking washer on that last nut, or it can work loose.
25) VERB If you work a substance such as dough or clay, you keep pressing it to make it have a particular texture.
[V n] Work the dough with the palm of your hand until it is very smooth...
[V n prep/adv] Remove rind from the cheese and work it to a firm paste, with a fork.
26) VERB If you work a material such as metal, leather, or stone, you cut, sew, or shape it in order to make something or to create a design.
[V n] ...the machines needed to extract and work the raw stone.
[V-ed] ...a long, cool tunnel of worked stone.
27) VERB If you work with a particular substance or material, you use it in order to make something or to create a design.
[V with/in n] He studied sculpture because he enjoyed working with clay.
28) V-ERG If you work a part of your body, or if it works, you move it.
[V n] Each position will work the muscles in a different way...
Her mouth was working in her sleep.
29) N-COUNT-COLL: usu n N, N n A works is a place where something is manufactured or where an industrial process is carried out. Works is used to refer to one or to more than one of these places.
The steel works, one of the landmarks of Stoke-on-Trent, could be seen for miles.
...a recycling works.
...the works canteen.
30) N-PLURAL: usu supp N Works are activities such as digging the ground or building on a large scale.
...six years of disruptive building works, road construction and urban development.
31) N-SING: the N (emphasis) You can say the works after listing things such as someone's possessions or requirements, to emphasize that they possess or require everything you can think of in a particular category. [INFORMAL]
Amazing place he's got there - squash courts, swimming pool, jacuzzi, the works.
Syn:
the lot
32) → See also working
33) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If someone is at work they are doing their job or are busy doing a particular activity.
The salvage teams are already hard at work trying to deal with the spilled oil...
He is currently at work on a novel...
Television cameras were invited in to film him at work.
34) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If a force or process is at work, it is having a particular influence or effect.
The report suggested that the same trend was at work in politics...
It is important to understand the powerful economic and social forces at work behind our own actions.
35) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR for n, PHR to-inf If you say that you will have your work cut out to do something, you mean that it will be a very difficult task.
The new administration has its work cut out for it. Creating jobs in this kind of environment is not going to be easy...
He will have his work cut out to get into the team.
36) PHRASE: usu n PHR, v-link PHR If something is in the works, it has already been planned or begun. [mainly AM]
He said there were dozens of economic plans in the works...
Nobody should be surprised by this. It's been in the works for some time.(in BRIT, usually use in the pipeline)
37) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR -ing/n You can use work to talk about how easily or quickly a particular task is done. For example, if a person or thing makes short work of doing something or makes light work of it, they do it quickly and easily.
An aerosol spray will make short work of painting awkward objects...
This horse made light work of the cross-country course...
Australia made hard work of beating them.
38) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If you describe someone as a nasty piece of work, you think they are very unpleasant or cruel. [mainly BRIT, INFORMAL]
Underneath I think he's actually a rather nasty piece of work.
39) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR prep, PHR -ing If you put someone to work or set them to work, you give them a job or task to do.
By stimulating the economy, we're going to put people to work...
Instead of sending them to prison, we have set them to work helping the lemon growers.
40) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR on n If you get to work, go to work, or set to work on a job, task, or problem, you start doing it or dealing with it.
He promised to get to work on the state's massive deficit...
He returned to America where he set to work on a new novel.
41) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR prep/adv If you work your way somewhere, you move or progress there slowly, and with a lot of effort or work.
Rescuers were still working their way towards the trapped men...
Many personnel managers started as secretaries or personnel assistants and worked their way up.
42) CONVENTION (formulae) You can say to someone `nice work' or `good work' in order to thank or praise them for doing something well or quickly.
Nice work, Matthew. I knew you could do it.
43) to throw a spanner in the works → see spanner
Phrasal Verbs:
- work in
- work into
- work off
- work out
- work over
- work up
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
1work /ˈwɚk/ verb works; worked; work·ing
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.]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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]
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.
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.
