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.
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.
Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something.
A job; employment: looking for work.
A trade, profession, or other means of livelihood.
Something that one is doing, making, or performing, especially as an occupation or undertaking; a duty or task: begin the day's work.
An amount of such activity either done or required: a week's work.
The part of a day devoted to an occupation or undertaking: met her after work.
One's place of employment: Should I call you at home or at work?
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.
Full action or effect of an agency: The sleeping pills did their work.
An act; a deed: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity"(Ecclesiastes 1:14).
An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.
works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.
works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
A piece of such textile art.
Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the:ordered a pizza with the works.
Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the:took him outside and gave him the works.
Something that one is doing, making, or performing, especially as an occupation or undertaking; a duty or task: begin the day's work.
An amount of such activity either done or required: a week's work.
The part of a day devoted to an occupation or undertaking: met her after work.
One's place of employment: Should I call you at home or at work?
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.
Full action or effect of an agency: The sleeping pills did their work.
An act; a deed: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity"(Ecclesiastes 1:14).
An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.
works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.
works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
A piece of such textile art.
Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the:ordered a pizza with the works.
Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the:took him outside and gave him the works.
The part of a day devoted to an occupation or undertaking: met her after work.
One's place of employment: Should I call you at home or at work?
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.
Full action or effect of an agency: The sleeping pills did their work.
An act; a deed: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity"(Ecclesiastes 1:14).
An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.
works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.
works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
A piece of such textile art.
Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the:ordered a pizza with the works.
Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the:took him outside and gave him the works.
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.
Full action or effect of an agency: The sleeping pills did their work.
An act; a deed: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity"(Ecclesiastes 1:14).
An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.
works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.
works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
A piece of such textile art.
Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the:ordered a pizza with the works.
Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the:took him outside and gave him the works.
An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art.
works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare.
works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
A piece of such textile art.
Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the:ordered a pizza with the works.
Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the:took him outside and gave him the works.
works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams.
A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress.
Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
A piece of such textile art.
Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the:ordered a pizza with the works.
Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the:took him outside and gave him the works.
Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art.
A piece of such textile art.
Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the:ordered a pizza with the works.
Slang A thorough beating or other severe treatment. Used with the:took him outside and gave him the works.
A material or piece of material being processed in a machine during manufacture: work to be turned in the lathe.
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.
works Internal mechanism: the works of a watch.
The manner, style, or quality of working or treatment; workmanship.
Abbr. wPhysics 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.
works Moral or righteous acts or deeds: salvation by faith rather than works.
works
Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the:ordered a pizza with the works.
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.
To exert oneself physically or mentally in order to do, make, or accomplish something.
To be employed; have a job.
To function; operate: How does this latch work?
To function or operate in the desired or required way: The telephone hasn't worked since the thunderstorm.
To have a given effect or outcome: Our friendship works best when we speak our minds.
To have the desired effect or outcome; prove successful: This recipe seems to work.
To strain in heavy seas so that the joints give slightly and the fastenings become slack. Used of a boat or ship.
To sail against the wind.
To have a given effect or outcome: Our friendship works best when we speak our minds.
To have the desired effect or outcome; prove successful: This recipe seems to work.
To strain in heavy seas so that the joints give slightly and the fastenings become slack. Used of a boat or ship.
To sail against the wind.
To exert an influence. Used with on or upon:worked on her to join the group.
To arrive at a specified condition through gradual or repeated movement: The stitches worked loose.
To proceed or progress slowly and laboriously: worked through the underbrush; worked through my problems in therapy.
To move in an agitated manner, as with emotion: Her mouth worked with fear.
To behave in a specified way when handled or processed: Not all metals work easily.
To ferment.
Nautical
To strain in heavy seas so that the joints give slightly and the fastenings become slack. Used of a boat or ship.
To sail against the wind.
To undergo small motions that result in friction and wear: The gears work against each other.
v.
tr.
To cause or effect; bring about: working miracles.
To cause to operate or function; actuate, use, or manage: worked the controls; can work a lathe.
To shape or forge: "Each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor"(Edgar Allan Poe).
To make or decorate by needlework: work a sampler.
To solve (a problem) by calculation and reasoning.
To knead, stir, or otherwise manipulate in preparation: Work the dough before shaping it.
To bring to a specified condition by gradual or repeated effort or work: finally worked the window open; worked the slaves to death.
To make, achieve, or pay for by work or effort: worked her way to the top; worked his passage on the ship.
Informal To arrange or contrive. Often used with it:worked it so that her weekends are free.
To make productive; cultivate: work a farm.
To cause to work: works his laborers hard.
To excite or provoke: worked the mob into a frenzy.
Informal
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.
To use or manipulate to one's own advantage; exploit: learned how to work the system; worked his relatives for sympathy.
To increase one's skill, responsibility, efficiency, or status through work: worked up to 30 sit-ups a day; worked up to store manager.
To intensify gradually: The film works up to a thrilling climax.
To carry on an operation or function in or through: the agent who works that area; working the phones for donations.
To ferment (liquor, for example).
To insert or introduce: worked in a request for money.
To make an opening for, as in a schedule: said the doctor would try to work her in.
To cause to be inserted by repeated or continuous effort.
To insert or introduce into.
To make an opening for (someone or something) in: worked a few field trips into the semester's calendar.
To cause to be inserted in by repeated or continuous effort: worked the pick into the lock.
To accomplish by work or effort.
To find a solution for; solve: worked out the equations; worked out their personal differences.
To formulate or develop: work out a plan.
To discharge (an obligation or debt) with labor in place of money.
To prove successful, effective, or satisfactory: The new strategy may not work out.
To have a specified result: The ratio works out to an odd number. It worked out that everyone left on the same train.
To engage in strenuous exercise for physical conditioning.
To exhaust (a mine, for example).
To do for a second time; rework.
Slang To inflict severe physical damage on; beat up.
To arouse the emotions of; excite.
To increase one's skill, responsibility, efficiency, or status through work: worked up to 30 sit-ups a day; worked up to store manager.
To intensify gradually: The film works up to a thrilling climax.
To develop or produce by mental or physical effort: worked up a patient profile; worked up an appetite.
Phrasal Verb(s): work in
To insert or introduce: worked in a request for money.
To make an opening for, as in a schedule: said the doctor would try to work her in.
To cause to be inserted by repeated or continuous effort.
work into
To insert or introduce into.
To make an opening for (someone or something) in: worked a few field trips into the semester's calendar.
To cause to be inserted in by repeated or continuous effort: worked the pick into the lock.
work offTo get rid of by work or effort: work off extra pounds; work off a debt. work out
To accomplish by work or effort.
To find a solution for; solve: worked out the equations; worked out their personal differences.
To formulate or develop: work out a plan.
To discharge (an obligation or debt) with labor in place of money.
To prove successful, effective, or satisfactory: The new strategy may not work out.
To have a specified result: The ratio works out to an odd number. It worked out that everyone left on the same train.
To engage in strenuous exercise for physical conditioning.
To exhaust (a mine, for example).
work over
To do for a second time; rework.
Slang To inflict severe physical damage on; beat up.
work up
To arouse the emotions of; excite.
To increase one's skill, responsibility, efficiency, or status through work: worked up to 30 sit-ups a day; worked up to store manager.
To intensify gradually: The film works up to a thrilling climax.
To develop or produce by mental or physical effort: worked up a patient profile; worked up an appetite.
Idiom(s):
at work
Engaged in labor; working: at work on a new project.
In operation: inflationary forces at work in the economy.
Idiom(s):
in the worksIn preparation; under development: has a novel in the works.
Idiom(s):
out of workWithout a job; unemployed.
Idiom(s):
put in workTo perform labor or duties, as on a specified project: put in work on the plastering.
Idiom(s):
work both sides of the streetTo engage in double-dealing; be duplicitous.
Idiom(s):
work like a charmTo function very well or have a very good effect or outcome.
Idiom(s):
work (one's) fingers to the boneTo 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).
tv. to threaten, intimidate, or beat someone. : Bruno had worked over Terry, and Sam knew that this was no idle threat.
tv. to give someone's body a thorough examination or treatment. : The doctors worked her over to the tune of $1,500 but couldn't find anything wrong with her.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History
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.
Accomplish by work or effort, as in I think we can work out a solution to this problem. [1500s] For work out all right, see turn out all right.
Find a solution for, solve, as in They hoped to work out their personal differences, or Can you help me work out this equation?[Mid-1800s]
Formulate or develop, as in We were told to work out a new plan, or He's very good at working out complicated plots. [Early 1800s]
Discharge a debt by working instead of paying money, as in She promised she'd work out the rest of the rent by baby-sitting for them. [Second half of 1600s]
Prove effective or successful, as in I wonder if their marriage will work out.
Have a specific result, add up, as in It worked out that she was able to go to the party after all, or The total works out to more than a million. [Late 1800s]
Engage in strenuous exercise for physical conditioning, as in He works out with weights every other day. [1920s]
Exhaust a resource, such as a mine, as in This mine has been completely worked out. [Mid-1500s]
[wurk] 
noun, adjective, verb, worked or (Archaic except for 35, 37, 40 ) wrought; working.
