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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
work    Audio Help   [wurk] Pronunciation Key noun, adjective, verb, worked or (Archaic except for 35, 37, 40) wrought; working.
–noun
1.exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.
2.something on which exertion or labor is expended; a task or undertaking: The students finished their work in class.
3.productive or operative activity.
4.employment, as in some form of industry, esp. as a means of earning one's livelihood: to look for work.
5.one's place of employment: Don't phone him at work.
6.materials, things, etc., on which one is working or is to work.
7.the result of exertion, labor, or activity; a deed or performance.
8.a product of exertion, labor, or activity: musical works.
9.an engineering structure, as a building or bridge.
10.a building, wall, trench, or the like, constructed or made as a means of fortification.
11.works,
a.(used with a singular or plural verb) a place or establishment for manufacturing (often used in combination): ironworks.
b.the working parts of a machine: the works of a watch.
c.Theology. righteous deeds.
12.Physics. force times the distance through which it acts; specifically, the transference of energy equal to the product of the component of a force that acts in the direction of the motion of the point of application of the force and the distance through which the point of application moves.
13.the works, Informal.
a.everything; all related items or matters: a hamburger with the works.
b.harsh or cruel treatment: to give someone the works.
–adjective
14.of, for, or concerning work: work clothes.
15.working (def. 18).
–verb (used without object)
16.to do work; labor.
17.to be employed, esp. as a means of earning one's livelihood: He hasn't worked for six weeks.
18.to be in operation, as a machine.
19.to act or operate effectively: The pump will not work. The plan works.
20.to attain a specified condition, as by repeated movement: The nails worked loose.
21.to have an effect or influence, as on a person or on the mind or feelings of a person.
22.to move in agitation, as the features under strong emotion.
23.to make way with effort or under stress: The ship works to windward.
24.Nautical. to give slightly at the joints, as a vessel under strain at sea.
25.Machinery. to move improperly, as from defective fitting of parts or from wear.
26.to undergo treatment by labor in a given way: This dough works slowly.
27.to ferment, as a liquid.
–verb (used with object)
28.to use or manage (an apparatus, contrivance, etc.): She can work many business machines.
29.to bring about (any result) by or as by work or effort: to work a change.
30.to manipulate or treat by labor: to work butter.
31.to put into effective operation.
32.to operate (a mine, farm, etc.) for productive purposes: to work a coal mine.
33.to carry on operations in (a district or region).
34.to make, fashion, or execute by work.
35.to achieve or win by work or effort: to work one's passage.
36.to keep (a person, a horse, etc.) at work: She works her employees hard.
37.to influence or persuade, esp. insidiously: to work other people to one's will.
38.Informal. to exploit (someone or something) to one's advantage: See if you can work your uncle for a new car. He worked his charm in landing a new job.
39.to make or decorate by needlework or embroidery: She worked a needlepoint cushion.
40.to cause fermentation in.
—Verb phrases
41.work in or into,
a.to bring or put in; add, merge, or blend: The tailor worked in the patch skillfully. Work the cream into the hands until it is completely absorbed.
b.to arrange a time or employment for: The dentist was very busy, but said she would be able to work me in late in the afternoon. They worked him into the new operation.
42.work off,
a.to lose or dispose of, as by exercise or labor: We decided to work off the effects of a heavy supper by walking for an hour.
b.to pay or fulfill by working: He worked off his debt by doing odd jobs.
43.work on or upon, to exercise influence on; persuade; affect: I'll work on her, and maybe she'll change her mind.
44.work out,
a.to bring about by work, effort, or action.
b.to solve, as a problem.
c.to arrive at by or as by calculation.
d.to pay (a debt) by working instead of paying money.
e.to exhaust, as a mine.
f.to issue in a result.
g.to evolve; elaborate.
h.to amount to (a total or specified figure); add up (to): The total works out to 176.
i.to prove effective or successful: Their marriage just didn't work out.
j.to practice, exercise, or train, esp. in order to become proficient in an athletic sport: The boxers are working out at the gym tonight.
45.work over,
a.to study or examine thoroughly: For my term paper I worked over 30 volumes of Roman history.
b.Informal. to beat unsparingly, esp. in order to obtain something or out of revenge: They threatened to work him over until he talked.
46.work through, to deal with successfully; come to terms with: to work through one's feelings of guilt.
47.work up,
a.to move or stir the feelings; excite.
b.to prepare; elaborate: Work up some plans.
c.to increase in efficiency or skill: He worked up his typing speed to 70 words a minute.
48.work up to, rise to a higher position; advance: He worked up to the presidency.
—Idioms
49.at work,
a.working, as at one's job: He's at work on a new novel.
b.in action or operation: to see the machines at work.
50.gum up the works, Slang. to spoil something, as through blundering or stupidity: The surprise party was all arranged, but her little brother gummed up the works and told her.
51.in the works, in preparation or being planned: A musical version of the book is in the works.
52.make short work of, to finish or dispose of quickly: We made short work of the chocolate layer cake.
53.out of work, unemployed; jobless: Many people in the area were out of work.
54.shoot the works, Slang. to spend all one's resources: Let's shoot the works and order the crêpes suzette.
[Origin: bef. 900; (n.) ME worke, OE worc, r. ME werk(e), OE weorc, c. OFris, OS werk, OHG werah, werc (G Werk), ON verk, Gk érgon; (v.) ME worken, deriv. of the n., r. ME wyrchen, OE wyrcean; c. G wirken, ON verkja, Goth waurkjan]

—Synonyms 1. Work, drudgery, labor, toil refer to exertion of body or mind in performing or accomplishing something. Work is the general word and may apply to exertion that is either easy or hard: fun work; heavy work. Drudgery suggests continuous, dreary, and dispiriting work, esp. of a menial or servile kind: the drudgery of household tasks. Labor particularly denotes hard manual work: labor on a farm, in a steel mill. Toil suggests wearying or exhausting labor: toil that breaks down the worker's health. 2. enterprise, project, job, responsibility. 3. industry, occupation, business. 4. job, trade, calling, vocation, profession. 7. product, achievement, feat. 16. toil, drudge. 28. operate, manipulate, handle. 29. accomplish, effect, produce, achieve. 34. finish, form, shape. 37. move.
—Antonyms 1. play, rest.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
Work    Audio Help   [wurk] Pronunciation Key
–noun
Henry Clay, 1832–84, U.S. songwriter.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
work    Audio Help   (wûrk)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something.
    1. A job; employment: looking for work.
    2. A trade, profession, or other means of livelihood.
    3. Something that one is doing, making, or performing, especially as an occupation or undertaking; a duty or task: begin the day's work.
    4. An amount of such activity either done or required: a week's work.
    5. The part of a day devoted to an occupation or undertaking: met her after work.
    6. One's place of employment: Should I call you at home or at work?
    7. Something that has been produced or accomplished through the effort, activity, or agency of a person or thing: This story is the work of an active imagination. Erosion is the work of wind, water, and time.
    8. Full action or effect of an agency: The sleeping pills did their work.
    9. An act; a deed: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
    10. An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.
    11. works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.
    12. works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
    13. A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
    14. Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
    15. A piece of such textile art.
    16. Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the: ordered a pizza with the works.
    17. Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the: took him outside and gave him the works.
    1. Something that one is doing, making, or performing, especially as an occupation or undertaking; a duty or task: begin the day's work.
    2. An amount of such activity either done or required: a week's work.
    3. The part of a day devoted to an occupation or undertaking: met her after work.
    4. One's place of employment: Should I call you at home or at work?
    5. Something that has been produced or accomplished through the effort, activity, or agency of a person or thing: This story is the work of an active imagination. Erosion is the work of wind, water, and time.
    6. Full action or effect of an agency: The sleeping pills did their work.
    7. An act; a deed: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
    8. An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.
    9. works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.
    10. works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
    11. A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
    12. Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
    13. A piece of such textile art.
    14. Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the: ordered a pizza with the works.
    15. Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the: took him outside and gave him the works.
    1. The part of a day devoted to an occupation or undertaking: met her after work.
    2. One's place of employment: Should I call you at home or at work?
    3. Something that has been produced or accomplished through the effort, activity, or agency of a person or thing: This story is the work of an active imagination. Erosion is the work of wind, water, and time.
    4. Full action or effect of an agency: The sleeping pills did their work.
    5. An act; a deed: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
    6. An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.
    7. works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.
    8. works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
    9. A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
    10. Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
    11. A piece of such textile art.
    12. Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the: ordered a pizza with the works.
    13. Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the: took him outside and gave him the works.
    1. Something that has been produced or accomplished through the effort, activity, or agency of a person or thing: This story is the work of an active imagination. Erosion is the work of wind, water, and time.
    2. Full action or effect of an agency: The sleeping pills did their work.
    3. An act; a deed: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
    4. An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.
    5. works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.
    6. works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
    7. A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
    8. Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
    9. A piece of such textile art.
    10. Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the: ordered a pizza with the works.
    11. Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the: took him outside and gave him the works.
    1. An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.
    2. works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.
    3. works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
    4. A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
    5. Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
    6. A piece of such textile art.
    7. Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the: ordered a pizza with the works.
    8. Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the: took him outside and gave him the works.
    1. works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
    2. A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
    3. Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
    4. A piece of such textile art.
    5. Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the: ordered a pizza with the works.
    6. Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the: took him outside and gave him the works.
    1. Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
    2. A piece of such textile art.
    3. Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the: ordered a pizza with the works.
    4. Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the: took him outside and gave him the works.
  9. A material or piece of material being processed in a machine during manufacture: work to be turned in the lathe.
  10. works (used with a sing. or pl. verb) A factory, plant, or similar building or complex of buildings where a specific type of business or industry is carried on. Often used in combination: a steelworks.
  11. works Internal mechanism: the works of a watch.
  12. The manner, style, or quality of working or treatment; workmanship.
  13. Abbr. w Physics The transfer of energy from one physical system to another, especially the transfer of energy to a body by the application of a force that moves the body in the direction of the force. It is calculated as the product of the force and the distance through which the body moves and is expressed in joules, ergs, and foot-pounds.
  14. works Moral or righteous acts or deeds: salvation by faith rather than works.
  15. works
    1. Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the: ordered a pizza with the works.
    2. Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the: took him outside and gave him the works.

adj.   Of, relating to, designed for, or engaged in work.

v.   worked also wrought (rôt), work·ing, works

v.   intr.
  1. To exert oneself physically or mentally in order to do, make, or accomplish something.
  2. To be employed; have a job.
    1. To function; operate: How does this latch work?
    2. To function or operate in the desired or required way: The telephone hasn't worked since the thunderstorm.
    3. To have a given effect or outcome: Our friendship works best when we speak our minds.
    4. To have the desired effect or outcome; prove successful: This recipe seems to work.
    5. To strain in heavy seas so that the joints give slightly and the fastenings become slack. Used of a boat or ship.
    6. To sail against the wind.
    1. To have a given effect or outcome: Our friendship works best when we speak our minds.
    2. To have the desired effect or outcome; prove successful: This recipe seems to work.
    3. To strain in heavy seas so that the joints give slightly and the fastenings become slack. Used of a boat or ship.
    4. To sail against the wind.
  5. To exert an influence. Used with on or upon: worked on her to join the group.
  6. To arrive at a specified condition through gradual or repeated movement: The stitches worked loose.
  7. To proceed or progress slowly and laboriously: worked through the underbrush; worked through my problems in therapy.
  8. To move in an agitated manner, as with emotion: Her mouth worked with fear.
  9. To behave in a specified way when handled or processed: Not all metals work easily.
  10. To ferment.
  11. Nautical
    1. To strain in heavy seas so that the joints give slightly and the fastenings become slack. Used of a boat or ship.
    2. To sail against the wind.
  12. To undergo small motions that result in friction and wear: The gears work against each other.

v.   tr.
  1. To cause or effect; bring about: working miracles.
  2. To cause to operate or function; actuate, use, or manage: worked the controls; can work a lathe.
  3. To shape or forge: "Each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor" (Edgar Allan Poe).
  4. To make or decorate by needlework: work a sampler.
  5. To solve (a problem) by calculation and reasoning.
  6. To knead, stir, or otherwise manipulate in preparation: Work the dough before shaping it.
  7. To bring to a specified condition by gradual or repeated effort or work: finally worked the window open; worked the slaves to death.
  8. To make, achieve, or pay for by work or effort: worked her way to the top; worked his passage on the ship.
  9. Informal To arrange or contrive. Often used with it: worked it so that her weekends are free.
  10. To make productive; cultivate: work a farm.
  11. To cause to work: works his laborers hard.
  12. To excite or provoke: worked the mob into a frenzy.
  13. Informal
    1. To gratify, cajole, or enchant artfully, especially for the purpose of influencing: The politician worked the crowd. The comedian worked the room with flawless rhythm.
    2. To use or manipulate to one's own advantage; exploit: learned how to work the system; worked his relatives for sympathy.
    3. To increase one's skill, responsibility, efficiency, or status through work: worked up to 30 sit-ups a day; worked up to store manager.
    4. To intensify gradually: The film works up to a thrilling climax.
  14. To carry on an operation or function in or through: the agent who works that area; working the phones for donations.
  15. To ferment (liquor, for example).
  16. To insert or introduce: worked in a request for money.
  17. To make an opening for, as in a schedule: said the doctor would try to work her in.
  18. To cause to be inserted by repeated or continuous effort.
  19. To insert or introduce into.
  20. To make an opening for (someone or something) in: worked a few field trips into the semester's calendar.
  21. To cause to be inserted in by repeated or continuous effort: worked the pick into the lock.
  22. To accomplish by work or effort.
  23. To find a solution for; solve: worked out the equations; worked out their personal differences.
  24. To formulate or develop: work out a plan.
  25. To discharge (an obligation or debt) with labor in place of money.
  26. To prove successful, effective, or satisfactory: The new strategy may not work out.
  27. To have a specified result: The ratio works out to an odd number. It worked out that everyone left on the same train.
  28. To engage in strenuous exercise for physical conditioning.
  29. To exhaust (a mine, for example).
  30. To do for a second time; rework.
  31. Slang To inflict severe physical damage on; beat up.
  32. To arouse the emotions of; excite.
    1. To increase one's skill, responsibility, efficiency, or status through work: worked up to 30 sit-ups a day; worked up to store manager.
    2. To intensify gradually: The film works up to a thrilling climax.
  34. To develop or produce by mental or physical effort: worked up a patient profile; worked up an appetite.

Phrasal Verb(s):
work in
  1. To insert or introduce: worked in a request for money.
  2. To make an opening for, as in a schedule: said the doctor would try to work her in.
  3. To cause to be inserted by repeated or continuous effort.
work into
  1. To insert or introduce into.
  2. To make an opening for (someone or something) in: worked a few field trips into the semester's calendar.
  3. To cause to be inserted in by repeated or continuous effort: worked the pick into the lock.
work off
To get rid of by work or effort: work off extra pounds; work off a debt.
work out
  1. To accomplish by work or effort.
  2. To find a solution for; solve: worked out the equations; worked out their personal differences.
  3. To formulate or develop: work out a plan.
  4. To discharge (an obligation or debt) with labor in place of money.
  5. To prove successful, effective, or satisfactory: The new strategy may not work out.
  6. To have a specified result: The ratio works out to an odd number. It worked out that everyone left on the same train.
  7. To engage in strenuous exercise for physical conditioning.
  8. To exhaust (a mine, for example).
work over
  1. To do for a second time; rework.
  2. Slang To inflict severe physical damage on; beat up.
work up
  1. To arouse the emotions of; excite.
    1. To increase one's skill, responsibility, efficiency, or status through work: worked up to 30 sit-ups a day; worked up to store manager.
    2. To intensify gradually: The film works up to a thrilling climax.
  3. To develop or produce by mental or physical effort: worked up a patient profile; worked up an appetite.

Idiom(s):
at work
  1. Engaged in labor; working: at work on a new project.
  2. In operation: inflationary forces at work in the economy.

Idiom(s):
in the works
In preparation; under development: has a novel in the works.

Idiom(s):
out of work
Without a job; unemployed.

Idiom(s):
put in work
To perform labor or duties, as on a specified project: put in work on the plastering.

Idiom(s):
work both sides of the street
To engage in double-dealing; be duplicitous.

Idiom(s):
work like a charm
To function very well or have a very good effect or outcome.

Idiom(s):
work (one's) fingers to the bone
To labor extremely hard; toil or travail.

[Middle English, from Old English weorc; see werg- in Indo-European roots.]

Synonyms: These nouns refer to physical or mental effort expended to produce or accomplish something. Work is the most widely applicable: "Which of us ... is to do the hard and dirty work for the rest—and for what pay?" (John Ruskin). "A work that aspires ... to the condition of art should carry its justification in every line" (Joseph Conrad).
Labor usually implies human work, especially of a hard physical or intellectual nature: "garner the fruits of their own labors" (Roger Casement).
Toil applies principally to strenuous, fatiguing labor: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat" (Winston S. Churchill).
Drudgery suggests dull, wearisome, or monotonous work: "the drudgery of penning definitions and marking quotations for transcription" (Thomas Macaulay).
Travail connotes arduous work involving pain or suffering: "prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth" (Henry Beston).

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
work  (n.)
O.E. weorc, worc "something done, deed, action, proceeding, business, military fortification," from P.Gmc. *werkan (cf. O.S., O.Fris., Du. werk, O.N. verk, M.Du. warc, O.H.G. werah, Ger. Werk, Goth. gawaurki), from PIE base *werg- "to work" (see urge (v.)).
"Work is less boring than amusing oneself." [Baudelaire, "Mon Coeur mis a nu," 1862]
In O.E., the noun also had the sense of "fornication." Workhouse in the sense of "place where the poor or petty criminals are lodged" first appeared 1652. Works "industrial place" (usually with qualifying adj.) is attested from 1581. Work station is recorded from 1950.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
work  (v.)
a fusion of O.E. wyrcan (past tense worhte, pp. geworht), from P.Gmc. *wurkijanan; and O.E. wircan (Mercian) "to work, operate, function," formed relatively late from P.Gmc. noun *werkan (see work (n.)). Worker as a type of bee is recorded from 1747. Work out "do strenuous physical exercise" first recorded 1909, originally in boxing jargon. Working-class first attested 1789 (n.), 1839 (adj.). Workmanlike "efficient, no-nonsense" is recorded from 1739.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
work

noun
1. activity directed toward making or doing something; "she checked several points needing further work" 
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"; "the work of an active imagination"; "erosion is the work of wind or water over time" 
3. the occupation for which you are paid; "he is looking for employment"; "a lot of people are out of work" [syn: employment] 
4. applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading); "mastering a second language requires a lot of work"; "no schools offer graduate study in interior design" [syn: study] 
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" 
6. a place where work is done; "he arrived at work early today" [syn: workplace] 
7. the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it); "he studied the entire Wagnerian oeuvre"; "Picasso's work can be divided into periods" [syn: oeuvre] 

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" [ant: idle] 
2. be employed; "Is your husband working again?"; "My wife never worked"; "Do you want to work after the age of 60?"; "She never did any work because she inherited a lot of money"; "She works as a waitress to put herself through college" 
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"; "The breaks of my new car act quickly"; "The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water" 
4. perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore" [syn: function] [ant: malfunction] 
5. shape, form, or improve a material; "work stone into tools"; "process iron"; "work the metal" 
6. give a workout to; "Some parents exercise their infants"; "My personal trainer works me hard"; "work one's muscles"; "this puzzle will exercise your mind" [syn: exercise] 
7. proceed along a path; "work one's way through the crowd"; "make one's way into the forest" [syn: make] 
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" 
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" 
10. move in an agitated manner; "His fingers worked with tension" 
11. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence; "I cannot work a miracle"; "wreak havoc"; "bring comments"; "play a joke"; "The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area" [syn: bring] 
12. cause to work; "he is working his servants hard" 
13. prepare for crops; "Work the soil"; "cultivate the land" [syn: cultivate] 
14. behave in a certain way when handled; "This dough does not work easily"; "The soft metal works well" 
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" [syn: influence] 
16. operate in or through; "Work the phones" 
17. cause to operate or function; "This pilot works the controls"; "Can you work an electric drill?" 
18. provoke or excite; "The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy" 
19. gratify and charm, usually in order to influence; "the political candidate worked the crowds" 
20. make something, usually for a specific function; "She molded the rice balls carefully"; "Form cylinders from the dough"; "shape a figure"; "Work the metal into a sword" [syn: shape] 
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" 
22. make uniform; "knead dough"; "work the clay until it is soft" [syn: knead] 
23. use or manipulate to one's advantage; "He exploit the new taxation system"; "She knows how to work the system"; "he works his parents for sympathy" [syn: exploit] 
24. find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of; "did you solve the problem?"; "Work out your problems with the boss"; "this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out"; "did you get it?"; "Did you get my meaning?"; "He could not work the math problem" [syn: solve] 
25. cause to undergo fermentation; "We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content"; "The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats" [syn: ferment] 
26. go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked"; "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out" [syn: sour] 
27. arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion; "The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

work

In addition to the idioms beginning with word, also see actions speak louder than words; at a loss (for words); at a word; break one's word; eat one's words; famous last words; fighting words; four-letter word; from the word go; get a word in edgewise; give the word; go back on (one's word); good as one's word; hang on someone's words; have a word with; have words with; in brief (a word); in other words; in so many words; keep one's word; last word; leave word; man of his word; mark my words; mince matters (words); mum's the word; not breathe a word; not open one's mouth (utter a word); of few words; picture is worth a thousand words; play on words; put in a good word; put into words; put words in someone's mouth; swallow one's words; take someone at his or her word; take the words out of someone's mouth; true to (one's word); weasel word; weigh one's words.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version) - Cite This Source - Share This
work1 [wəːk] noun
effort made in order to achieve or make something
Example: He has done a lot of work on this project
Arabic: عَمَل، جُهْد
Chinese (Simplified): 劳动
Chinese (Traditional): 勞動
Czech: práce
Danish: arbejde
Dutch: werk
Estonian: töö
Finnish: työ
French: travail
German: die Arbeit
Greek: δουλειά, εργασία
Hungarian: munka
Icelandic: vinna
Indonesian: pekerjaan
Italian: lavoro
Japanese: 努力
Korean: 일, 노력
Latvian: darbs
Lithuanian: darbas
Norwegian: arbeid
Polish: praca, robota
Portuguese (Brazil): trabalho
Portuguese (Portugal): trabalho
Romanian: loc de muncă, ser­viciu
Russian: работа
Slovak: práca
Slovenian: delo
Spanish: trabajo
Swedish: arbete
Turkish: çalışma, emek
work2 [wəːk] noun
employment
Example: I cannot find work in this town.
Arabic: شُغل
Chinese (Simplified): 工作
Chinese (Traditional): 工作
Czech: práce
Danish: arbejde
Dutch: werk
Estonian: töö
Finnish: työ
French: travail
German: die Arbeit
Greek: δουλειά, απασχόληση
Hungarian: munka
Icelandic: vinna, starf
Indonesian: pekerjaan
Italian: lavoro
Japanese: 職
Korean: (생계를 위한) 일, 직업
Latvian: darbs
Lithuanian: darbas
Norwegian: arbeid, jobb
Polish: praca, zajęcie
Portuguese (Brazil): trabalho
Portuguese (Portugal): emprego
Romanian: muncă
Russian: работа
Slovak: práca
Slovenian: delo
Spanish: trabajo
Swedish: arbete, jobb
Turkish: iş
work3 [wəːk] noun
a task or tasks; the thing that one is working on
Example: Please clear your work off the table.
Arabic: مُهِمَّه، عَمَل يقوم به الشَّخْص
Chinese (Simplified): 工作物
Chinese (Traditional): 工作物
Czech: práce
Danish: arbejde
Dutch: werk
Estonian: tööasjad
Finnish: työt
French: travail
German: die Arbeit
Greek: δουλειά
Hungarian: feladat
Icelandic: verkefni
Indonesian: tugas
Italian: lavoro
Japanese: 仕事
Korean: 하고 있는 일
Latvian: darbs
Lithuanian: darbas
Norwegian: arbeid
Polish: praca
Portuguese (Brazil): trabalho
Portuguese (Portugal): trabalho
Romanian: ma­te­rial de lucru
Russian: работа
Slovak: práca
Slovenian: delo
Spanish: trabajo
Swedish: arbete, grejor
Turkish: iş
work4 [wəːk] noun
a painting, book, piece of music etc
Example: the works of Van Gogh / Shakespeare/Mozart; This work was composed in 1816.
Arabic: عَمَل فَنّي
Chinese (Simplified): 著作（作品）
Chinese (Traditional): 著作(作品)
Czech: dílo
Danish: værk
Dutch: werk
Estonian: teos
Finnish: teos
French: oeuvre
German: das Werk
Greek: έργο (τέχνης, μουσικής κτλ.)
Hungarian: mű
Icelandic: verk
Indonesian: hasil karya
Italian: opera
Japanese: 作品
Korean: 작품
Latvian: sacerējums; ražojums; darbs
Lithuanian: kūrinys
Norwegian: verk
Polish: dzieło
Portuguese (Brazil): obra
Portuguese (Portugal): obra
Romanian: operă
Russian: произведение
Slovak: dielo
Slovenian: delo
Spanish: obra
Swedish: verk
Turkish: sanat eseri
work5 [wəːk] noun
the product or result of a person's labours
Example: His work has shown a great improvement lately.
Arabic: نَتيجَة العَمَل، مَنْتوج
Chinese (Simplified): 作品（成果）
Chinese (Traditional): 作品(成果)
Czech: práce
Danish: arbejde
Dutch: werk
Estonian: töö(tulemus)
Finnish: työsuoritus
French: travail
German: die Arbeit
Greek: δουλειά, προϊόν εργασίας
Hungarian: alkotás
Icelandic: vinna
Indonesian: hasil kerja
Italian: lavoro
Japanese: 仕事ぶり
Korean: 제작품
Latvian: darbs; darba rezultāts
Lithuanian: darbas
Norwegian: arbeid, verk
Polish: praca
Portuguese (Brazil): trabalho
Portuguese (Portugal): trabalho
Romanian: muncă
Russian: результат труда
Slovak: práca
Slovenian: delo
Spanish: trabajo
Swedish: arbete
Turkish: iş
work6 [wəːk] noun
one's place of employment
Example: He left (his) work at 5.30 p.m.; I don't think I'll go to work tomorrow.
Arabic: مَكان العَمَل
Chinese (Simplified): 工作场所
Chinese (Traditional): 工作場所
Czech: práce
Danish: arbejdsplads; arbejde
Dutch: werk
Estonian: töökoht
Finnish: työpaikka
French: travail
German: die Arbeit
Greek: δουλειά, πόστο
Hungarian: munkahely
Icelandic: vinnustaður
Indonesian: tempat kerja
Italian: lavoro
Japanese: 勤務先
Korean: 일터, 직장
Latvian: darbs; darbavieta
Lithuanian: darbas
Norwegian: arbeidsplass, jobb
Polish: praca
Portuguese (Brazil): trabalho
Portuguese (Portugal): emprego
Romanian: loc de muncă
Russian: работа
Slovak: práca, zamestnanie
Slovenian: delo
Spanish: trabajo
Swedish: arbete, jobb
Turkish: iş yeri, iş
work1 [wəːk] verb
to (cause to) make efforts in order to achieve or make something
Example: She works at the factory three days a week; He works his employees very hard; I've been working on/at a new project.
Arabic: يَشْتَغِل، يُشَغِّل
Chinese (Simplified): 工作
Chinese (Traditional): 工作
Czech: pracovat; nutit do práce
Danish: arbejde; køre
Dutch: werken
Estonian: töötama
Finnish: työskennellä
French: (faire) travailler (sur, *à)
German: arbeiten
Greek: δουλεύω, εργάζομαι, βάζω κπ. να δουλεύει
Hungarian: dolgozik
Icelandic: vinna, starfa; láta (e-n) vinna
Indonesian: bekerja
Italian: lavorare, far lavorare*
Japanese: 働く
Korean: 일하다; 일하게 하다
Latvian: strādāt
Lithuanian: dirbti
Norwegian: arbeide, jobbe; drive, la arbeide
Polish: pracować
Portuguese (Brazil): trabalhar
Portuguese (Portugal): trabalhar
Romanian: a munci
Russian: (заставлять) работать
Slovak: pracovať; nútiť do práce, naháňať (do roboty)
Slovenian: delati; priganjati k delu
Spanish: trabajar
Swedish: arbeta (jobba)
Turkish: çalış(tır)mak, iş yap(tır)mak
work2 [wəːk] verb
to be employed
Example: Are you working just now?
Arabic: يَشْتَغِل
Chinese (Simplified): 做事（工作）
Chinese (Traditional): 做事(工作)
Czech: mít práci
Danish: have arbejde
Dutch: werken
Estonian: ametit pidama
Finnish: olla töissä
French: travailler
German: arbeiten
Greek: δουλεύω, απασχολούμαι
Hungarian: dolgozik
Icelandic: hafa starf, *vinnu
Indonesian: punya pekerjaan
Italian: lavorare
Japanese: 勤めている
Korean: 근무하다
Latvian: strādāt
Lithuanian: dirbti
Norwegian: ha arbeid, *jobb
Polish: pracować, być zajętym
Portuguese (Brazil): trabalhar
Portuguese (Portugal): ter emprego
Romanian: a lucra
Russian: иметь работу
Slovak: mať prácu
Slovenian: delati
Spanish: trabajar, tener empleo
Swedish: arbeta, jobba, ha arbete (jobb)
Turkish: işi olmak, çalışmak
work3 [wəːk] verb
to (cause to) operate (in the correct way)
Example: He has no idea how that machine works / how to work that machine; That machine doesn't/won't work, but this one's working.
Arabic: تَعْمَل، تَشتَغِل
Chinese (Simplified): 操作，运转
Chinese (Traditional): 操作，運轉
Czech: pracovat; uvést do chodu
Danish: fungere; arbejde; betjene
Dutch: (doen) werken
Estonian: toimima, tööle panema
Finnish: toimia, käyttää
French: (faire) fonctionner
German: funktionieren
Greek: δουλεύω, λειτουργώ, χειρίζομαι
Hungarian: működik
Icelandic: vera í lagi, virka
Indonesian: bekerja
Italian: funzionare, far funzionare*
Japanese: 作動する
Korean: (기계 등이) 움직이다, 작동하다; 작동시키다
Latvian: strādāt; darboties; darbināt
Lithuanian: (priversti) veikti
Norwegian: virke, fungere
Polish: działać, obsługiwać
Portuguese (Brazil): funcionar
Portuguese (Portugal): funcionar
Romanian: a face să funcţioneze
Russian: работать; управлять
Slovak: uviesť do chodu; fungovať
Slovenian: delovati; upravljati
Spanish: funcionar
Swedish: fungera
Turkish: işlemek, çalış(tır)mak
work4 [wəːk] verb
to be practicable and/or successful
Example: If my scheme works, we'll be rich!
Arabic: يَعْمَل، يَنْجَح
Chinese (Simplified): 行得通，取得成功
Chinese (Traditional): 行得通，取得成功
Czech: osvědčit se
Danish: blive til noget
Dutch: werken
Estonian: töötama, asja saama
Finnish: toimia
French: marcher
German: klappen
Greek: πετυχαίνω
Hungarian: beválik
Icelandic: gefast vel, heppnast
Indonesian: berhasil
Italian: funzionare
Japanese: うまくいく
Korean: 잘 돼 나가다
Latvian: īstenoties; tikt veiktam, *realizētam
Lithuanian: pasisekti
Norwegian: virke, holde stikk, lykkes
Polish: sprawdzić się
Portuguese (Brazil): funcionar, dar certo
Portuguese (Portugal): dar resultado
Romanian: a merge, a funcţiona
Russian: действовать, удаваться
Slovak: osvedčiť sa
Slovenian: delovati
Spanish: funcionar, dar resultados
Swedish: fungera, lyckas, klaffa
Turkish: işe yaramak, başarılı olmak
work5 [wəːk] verb
to make (one's way) slowly and carefully with effort or difficulty
Example: She worked her way up the rock face.
Arabic: يشُقُّ طَريقَه بِصُعوبَه
Chinese (Simplified): 缓慢而费力地前进
Chinese (Traditional): 緩慢而費力地前進
Czech: razit si cestu
Danish: arbejde
Dutch: vorderen
Estonian: (endale) teed tegema, läbi tungima, pürgima
Finnish: raivata tiensä
French: progresser (lentement)
German: sich arbeiten
Greek: προχωρώ με δυσκολία
Hungarian: felküzdi magát
Icelandic: mjaka(st)
Indonesian: bersusah payah
Italian: avanzare faticosamente
Japanese: 徐々に進む
Korean: 고전하면서 천천히 나아가다
Latvian: ar pūlēm tikt uz priekšu