| work (wûrk) n. 1. Physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something. 2. a. A job; employment: looking for work. b. A trade, profession, or other means of livelihood. 3. a. Something that one is doing, making, or performing, especially as an occupation or undertaking; a duty or task: begin the day's work. b. An amount of such activity either done or required: a week's work. 4. a. The part of a day devoted to an occupation or undertaking: met her after work. b. One's place of employment: Should I call you at home or at work? 5. a. 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. b. Full action or effect of an agency: The sleeping pills did their work. c. 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. a. An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, or literary or musical composition; a work of art. b. works The output of a writer, artist, or musician considered or collected as a whole: the works of Shakespeare. 7. a. works Engineering structures, such as bridges or dams. b. A fortified structure, such as a trench or fortress. 8. a. Needlework, weaving, lacemaking, or a similar textile art. b. A piece of such textile art. 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 a. Informal The full range of possibilities; everything. Used with the: ordered a pizza with the works. b. 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. 3. a. To function; operate: How does this latch work? b. To function or operate in the desired or required way: The telephone hasn't worked since the thunderstorm. 4. a. To have a given effect or outcome: Our friendship works best when we speak our minds. b. To have the desired effect or outcome; prove successful: This recipe seems to work. 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 a. To strain in heavy seas so that the joints give slightly and the fastenings become slack. Used of a boat or ship. b. To sail against the wind. 12. To undergo small motions that result in friction and wear: The gears work against each other. v.tr. Phrasal Verbs: 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 a. 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. b. To use or manipulate to one's own advantage; exploit: learned how to work the system; worked his relatives for sympathy. 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). 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 Idioms: 1. To arouse the emotions of; excite. 2. a. To increase one's skill, responsibility, efficiency, or status through work: worked up to 30 sit-ups a day; worked up to store manager. b. 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. at work 1. Engaged in labor; working: at work on a new project. 2. In operation: inflationary forces at work in the economy. in the works In preparation; under development: has a novel in the works. out of work Without a job; unemployed. put in work To perform labor or duties, as on a specified project: put in work on the plastering. work both sides of the street To engage in double-dealing; be duplicitous. work like a charm To function very well or have a very good effect or outcome. 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: work, labor, toil1, drudgery, travail 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). |
work [wɜːk]
n
1. physical or mental effort directed towards doing or making something
2. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) paid employment at a job or a trade, occupation, or profession
3. a duty, task, or undertaking
4. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms) something done, made, etc., as a result of effort or exertion a work of art
5. materials or tasks on which to expend effort or exertion
6. another word for workmanship [3]
7. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) the place, office, etc., where a person is employed
8. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) any piece of material that is undergoing a manufacturing operation or process; workpiece
9. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Art Terms)
a. decoration or ornamentation, esp of a specified kind
b. (in combination) wirework woolwork
10. (Engineering / General Engineering) an engineering structure such as a bridge, building, etc.
11. (Physics / General Physics) Physics the transfer of energy expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which its point of application moves in the direction of the force. Abbreviations W w
12. (Military / Fortifications) a structure, wall, etc., built or used as part of a fortification system
at work
a. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) at one's job or place of employment
b. in action; operating
make short work of Informal to handle or dispose of very quickly
15. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) (modifier) of, relating to, or used for work work clothes a work permit
vb
1. (intr) to exert effort in order to do, make, or perform something
2. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) (intr) to be employed
3. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) (tr) to carry on operations, activity, etc., in (a place or area) that salesman works the southern region
4. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) (tr) to cause to labour or toil he works his men hard
5. to operate or cause to operate, esp properly or effectively to work a lathe that clock doesn't work
6. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) (tr) to till or cultivate (land)
7. to handle or manipulate or be handled or manipulated to work dough
8. to shape, form, or process or be shaped, formed, or processed to work copper
9. to reach or cause to reach a specific condition, esp gradually the rope worked loose
10. (Mathematics) (tr) Chiefly US and Canadian to solve (a mathematical problem)
11. (intr) to move in agitation his face worked with anger
12. (tr; often foll by up) to provoke or arouse to work someone into a frenzy
13. (tr) to effect or accomplish to work one's revenge
14. to make (one's way) with effort he worked his way through the crowd
15. (Clothing, Personal Arts & Crafts / Knitting & Sewing) (tr) to make or decorate by hand in embroidery, tapestry, etc. she was working a sampler
16. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) (intr) (of a mechanism) to move in a loose or otherwise imperfect fashion
17. (Miscellaneous Technologies / Brewing) (intr) (of liquids) to ferment, as in brewing
18. (tr) Informal to manipulate or exploit to one's own advantage
work (wɜrk)
n., adj., v. worked (Archaic except in some senses, esp. 35,37,40 ) wrought; working. n.
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.
3. productive or operative activity, esp. employment to earn one's living: to look for work.
4. one's place of employment: Don't phone me at work.
5. materials, things, etc., on which one is working or is to work.
6. the result of exertion, labor, or activity; a deed, performance, or product.
7. an engineering structure, as a building or bridge.
8. a building, wall, trench, or the like, constructed or made as a means of fortification.
9. works,
a. (used with a sing. or pl. v.) a place or establishment for manufacturing (often used in combination): ironworks.
b. the working parts of a machine: the works of a watch.
c. Theol. righteous deeds.
10. Physics. the transfer of energy, as measured by the scalar product of a force and the distance through which it acts.
11. the works,
adj. a. everything; all related items or matters: a hamburger with the works.
b. harsh or cruel treatment.
12. of, for, or concerning work: work clothes.
v.i. 13. to do work; labor.
14. to be employed, esp. as a means of earning one's livelihood.
15. to be in operation; be functional, as a machine or system: The elevators are working again.
16. to act or operate effectively: This plan works.
17. to attain a specified condition, as by repeated movement: The nails worked loose.
18. to have an effect or influence, as on a person or on a person's mind or feelings.
19. to move in agitation, as the features under strong emotion.
20. to make way with effort or under stress: The ship works to windward.
21. to ferment, as a liquid.
22. Naut. to give slightly at the joints, as a vessel under strain at sea.
v.t. 23. to use, manage, or operate (an apparatus, contrivance, etc.).
24. to bring about (any result) by or as if by work or effort: to work a change.
25. to manipulate or treat by labor: to work butter.
26. to put into effective operation.
27. to make (a mine, farm, etc.) productive.
28. to carry on operations or activity in (a district or region): That salesman works the Northeast.
29. to make, fashion, or execute by work.
30. to achieve or win by work or effort.
31. to keep at work: to work one's employees hard.
32. to solve (a puzzle or arithmetic problem).
33. to cause a strong emotion in: to work a crowd into a frenzy.
34. to influence or persuade, esp. insidiously: to work other people to one's will.
35. to use to one's advantage: He worked his charm in landing a new job.
36. to make or decorate by needlework or embroidery.
37. to cause fermentation in.
38. work in or into,
a. to blend in.
b. to include after some effort: Try to work me into your schedule.
39. work off,
a. to lose or dispose of, as by exercise or labor: to work off a heavy meal with a long walk.
b. to pay or fulfill by working: to work off a debt.
40. work on or upon, to exercise influence on; persuade.
41. work out,
a. to bring about by work, effort, or action.
b. to solve, as a problem.
c. to arrive at by or as if by calculation.
d. to pay or fulfill by working; work off.
e. to exhaust, as a mine.
f. to issue in a result.
g. to evolve; elaborate.
h. (of a total, specified figure, etc.) to amount; add up: 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 an athletic sport: boxers working out at a gym.
42. work over,
a. to study or examine thoroughly.
b. to beat unsparingly.
43. work through, to deal with successfully; come to terms with.
44. work up,
Idioms: a. to move or stir the feelings of; excite.
b. to prepare; elaborate: Work up a proposal.
c. to cause to develop by exertion: to work up an appetite.
1. at work,
a. working, as at one's job.
b. in action or operation: machines at work.
2. in the works, in preparation or being planned.
3. out of work, unemployed; jobless.
[before 900; (n.) Middle English worke, Old English worc, replacing Middle English werk(e), Old English weorc, c. Old Frisian, Old Saxon werk, Old High German werah, werc, Old Norse verk, Greek érgon]
syn: work, drudgery, labor, toil refer to exertion of body or mind in performing or accomplishing something. work is a general word that refers to exertion that is either easy or hard: pleasurable work; backbreaking work. drudgery suggests continuous, dreary, and dispiriting work, esp. of a menial or servile kind: Cleaning these blinds is sheer drudgery. labor denotes hard manual work, esp. for wages: Repairing the bridge will require months of labor. toil suggests wearying or exhausting labor: The farmer's health was failing from constant toil.
| work (wûrk) The transfer of energy from one object to another, especially in order to make the second object move in a certain direction. Work is equal to the amount of force multiplied by the distance over which it is applied. If a force of 10 newtons, for example, is applied over a distance of 3 meters, the work is equal to 30 newtons per meter, or 30 joules. The unit for measuring work is the same as that for energy in any system of units, since work is simply a transfer of energy. Compare energypower |
Work
See also occupations; organized labor.
dull, laborious, or menial work. — drudge, n.
an obsession with public employment.
an abnormal fear of work.
an instrument that records the amount of work done when a muscle contracts. — ergographic, adj.
the study of the effect of work on mind and body. — ergologist, n.
a mania for work.
a person who loves to work.
a hatred of work.
laziness; the state of being idle. — fainéant, adj.
a work practice under which workers are able, within certain limits, to choose their own hours of work.
1. laborious work or study, especially when done late at night.
2. the work, as a book or treatise, produced or apparently produced this way. — lucubrator, n.
2. the work, as a book or treatise, produced or apparently produced this way. — lucubrator, n.
1. the state or quality of being industrious or busy.
2. the condition of being toilsome. — operose, adj.
2. the condition of being toilsome. — operose, adj.
the policy or practice of maintaining an office or position that provides income without demanding any or much work or attendance. Also sinecureship. — sinecure, n.
the methods of scientific factory management first introduced in the early 19th century by the American engineer Frederick W. Taylor, especially the differential piece-rate system.
an abnormal fear or dislike of being idle.
the practice or advocacy of working as a volunteer, often with the hope of thereby gaining paid employment in the same field.
Work
See Also: ATTENTION, BOREDOM, DOCTORS, LAWYERS, PROFESSIONS
- All the romance had been scuffed off it [playing professional baseball against small-town teams] like the gloss on a brand-new baseball after nine innings of hard use —Howard Frank Mosher
- All work is as seed sown; it grows and spreads, and sows itself anew —Thomas Carlyle
- The back-breaking sixteen-hour day, like a heavy hand slapping —Bernard Malamud
- Being a president is like riding a tiger. A man has to keep on riding or be swallowed —Harry S. Truman
- (Reagan’s nostalgic wit was contributing to the feeling that he) dropped in and out of his job, like a cameo star on “The Love Boat” —Gerald Gardner
- (My mom) getting paid for giving advice is like the Cookie Monster getting paid for eating cookies —Glenn Sapadin, upon hearing that his mother, Linda Sapadin, was finalist in contest to select a replacement for advice columnist Ann Landers, New York Times/ About New York, April 11, 1987
- This job [being a prize fighter] needs gorgeous concentration … it’s like being a priest; our work comes first —Clifford Odets
- The job [dean at a university] is like being pecked to death by ducks —John Roche, lecture at Ohio State University, 1962.
- Jobs are like lobster pots, harder to get out of them than into —Hugh Leonard
- Labor like Hercules —William H. Gass
- The only time some people work like a horse is when the boss rides them —Gabriel Heatter
- Toiled like movers trying to get a refrigerator into a fifth-floor walk-up —Russell Baker
- Toiling like a bee in a hive —Noël Coward, lyrics for “World Weary”
- (Fifty-two Sundays a year … for three hours my mother was) unemployed in her own house. Like a queen —Philip Roth
Roth’s comparison of a mother to an unemployed queen comes from his novel, The Ghost Writer.
- Unemployed people (i.e. actors between plays) like ghosts looking for bodies to inhabit —Gail Godwin
- Work drives you like a motor —Janet Flanner
- Working the rivet line [at auto factory] is like being paid to flunk high school the rest of your life —Ben Hamper in article on changes at General Motors, Mother Jones, September 1986
- Work is as much a necessity to man as eating and sleeping —Karl Wilhelm Humboldt
- Work like a beaver —American colloquialism
This expression was popularized by the fur trappers who roamed the Rockies during the nineteenth century. Like many such terms it has gained much wider currency and seeded offshoots like “Eager as a beaver” and “Busy as a beaver.”
- Work like a Trojan —Anon
A still popular simile that had its origins in the Greek classics which portrayed the Trojans as hard workers.
- The work was getting to be like licking stamps eight hours a day —Loren D. Estleman
Thesaurus Legend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | work - activity directed toward making or doing something; "she checked several points needing further work" activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity" action - the most important or interesting work or activity in a specific area or field; "the action is no longer in technology stocks but in municipal bonds"; "gawkers always try to get as close to the action as possible" job - a damaging piece of work; "dry rot did the job of destroying the barn"; "the barber did a real job on my hair" job - the performance of a piece of work; "she did an outstanding job as Ophelia"; "he gave it up as a bad job" procedure, operation - a process or series of acts especially of a practical or mechanical nature involved in a particular form of work; "the operations in building a house"; "certain machine tool operations" service - work done by one person or group that benefits another; "budget separately for goods and services" polishing, shining - the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it; "the shining of shoes provided a meager living"; "every Sunday he gave his car a good polishing" heavy lifting - difficult work; "the boss hoped the plan would succeed but he wasn't willing to do the heavy lifting" housewifery - the work of a housewife housekeeping, housework - the work of cleaning and running a house ironing - the work of using heat to smooth washed clothes in order to remove any wrinkles busywork, make-work - active work of little value; "while he was waiting he filled the days with busywork" logging - the work of cutting down trees for timber loose end, unfinished business - work that is left incomplete nightwork - work to be done at night paperwork - work that involves handling papers: forms or letters or reports etc. social service, welfare work - an organized activity to improve the condition of disadvantaged people in society toil, labor, labour - productive work (especially physical work done for wages); "his labor did not require a great deal of skill" subbing, substituting - working as a substitute for someone who is ill or on leave of absence investigating, investigation - the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically care, tending, attention, aid - the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something; "no medical care was required"; "the old car needs constant attention" duty - work that you are obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons; "the duties of the job" missionary work, mission - the organized work of a religious missionary spadework - dull or routine preliminary work preparing for an undertaking timework - work paid for at a rate per unit of time project, task, undertaking, labor - any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted; "he prepared for great undertakings" coursework - work assigned to and done by a student during a course of study; usually it is evaluated as part of the student's grade in the course |
| 2. | work - 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" follow-up, followup - a piece of work that exploits or builds on earlier work; "his new software is a follow-up to the programs they started with" ironwork - work made of iron (gratings or rails or railings etc); "the houses had much ornamental ironwork" lacework - work consisting of (or resembling) lace fabric lacquerware - a decorative work made of wood and covered with lacquer and often inlaid with ivory or precious metals leatherwork - work made of leather chef-d'oeuvre, masterpiece - the most outstanding work of a creative artist or craftsman metalwork - the metal parts of something; "there were bullet holes in the metalwork" openwork - ornamental work (such as embroidery or latticework) having a pattern of openings polychrome - a piece of work composed of or decorated in many colors product, production - an artifact that has been created by someone or some process; "they improve their product every year"; "they export most of their agricultural production" silverwork - decorative work made of silver woodwork - work made of wood; especially moldings or stairways or furniture work in progress - a piece of work that is not yet finished workpiece - work consisting of a piece of metal being machined publication - a copy of a printed work offered for distribution | |
| 3. |  work - the occupation for which you are paid; "he is looking for employment"; "a lot of people are out of work"coaching, coaching job - the job of a professional coach booking, engagement - employment for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time; "the play had bookings throughout the summer" ministry - the work of a minister of religion; "he is studying for the ministry" piecework - work paid for according to the quantity produced job, line of work, occupation, business, line - the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money; "he's not in my line of business" service - employment in or work for another; "he retired after 30 years of service" telecommuting, teleworking - employment at home while communicating with the workplace by phone or fax or modem services - performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others; "the mayor tried to maintain city services"; "the medical services are excellent" public service - employment within a government system (especially in the civil service) paper route - the job of delivering newspapers regularly | |
| 4. | work - 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" learning, acquisition - the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge; "the child's acquisition of language" | |
| 5. | work - (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" natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" energy, free energy - (physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs; "energy can take a wide variety of forms" | |
| 6. | work - a place where work is done; "he arrived at work early today" bakehouse, bakery, bakeshop - a workplace where baked goods (breads and cakes and pastries) are produced or sold beehive - any workplace where people are very busy brokerage house, brokerage - place where a broker conducts his business central, telephone exchange, exchange - a workplace that serves as a telecommunications facility where lines from telephones can be connected together to permit communication colliery, pit - a workplace consisting of a coal mine plus all the buildings and equipment connected with it creamery - a workplace where dairy products (butter and cheese etc.) are produced or sold drill site - workplace that is the site of a drill hole exchange - a workplace for buying and selling; open only to members farm - workplace consisting of farm buildings and cultivated land as a unit; "it takes several people to work the farm" fish farm - a workplace (usually a pond) where fish are raised for food gasworks - the workplace where coal gas is manufactured glassworks - a workplace where glass is made ironworks - the workplace where iron is smelted or where iron goods are made job - a workplace; as in the expression "on the job"; lab, laboratory, research lab, research laboratory, science lab, science laboratory - a workplace for the conduct of scientific research laundry - workplace where clothes are washed and ironed location - a workplace away from a studio at which some or all of a movie may be made; "they shot the film on location in Nevada" locker room - a room (as at an athletic facility or workplace) where you can change clothes and which contains lockers for the temporary storage of your clothing and personal possessions lumberyard - a workplace where lumber is stocked for sale proving ground - a workplace for testing new equipment or ideas roundhouse - workplace consisting of a circular building for repairing locomotives shipyard - a workplace where ships are built or repaired shop floor - workplace consisting of the part of a factory housing the machines; "the productive work is done on the shop floor" studio - workplace for the teaching or practice of an art; "she ran a dance studio"; "the music department provided studios for their students"; "you don't need a studio to make a passport photograph" studio - workplace consisting of a room or building where movies or television shows or radio programs are produced and recorded tannery - workplace where skins and hides are tanned test bed - a place equipped with instruments for testing (e.g. engines or machinery or computer programs etc.) under working conditions waterworks - workplace where water is stored and purified and distributed for a community geographic point, geographical point - a point on the surface of the Earth | |
| 7. | work - 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" end product, output - final product; the things produced writing - (usually plural) the collected work of an author; "the idea occurs with increasing frequency in Hemingway's writings" | |
| Verb | 1. | work - 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" run through, work through, go through - apply thoroughly; think through; "We worked through an example" monkey around, muck about, muck around, potter, mess around, tinker, monkey, putter - do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly; "The old lady is usually mucking about in her little house" carpenter - work as a carpenter do work, work - 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" clerk - work as a clerk, as in the legal business page - work as a page; "He is paging in Congress this summer" pull one's weight - do one's share in a common task; "Bob has never pulled his weight, and we all have to work harder to make up for his laziness" electioneer - work actively for a political candidate or a party; "My neighbors are busy electioneering during the Presidential election campaign" assist - act as an assistant in a subordinate or supportive function beaver, beaver away - work hard on something work at, work on - to exert effort in order to do, make, or perform something; "the child worked at the multiplication table until she had it down cold" keep one's nose to the grindstone, keep one's shoulder to the wheel, peg away, plug away, slog - work doggedly or persistently; "She keeps plugging away at her dissertation" collaborate, cooperate, join forces, get together - work together on a common enterprise of project; "The soprano and the pianist did not get together very well"; "We joined forces with another research group" volunteer - do volunteer work specialise, specialize - devote oneself to a special area of work; "She specializes in honey bees"; "This baker specializes in French bread" minister - work as a minister; "She is ministering in an old parish" intern - work as an intern; "The young doctor is interning at the Medical Center this year" skipper - work as the skipper on a vessel boondoggle - do useless, wasteful, or trivial work whore - work as a prostitute serve - devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas; "She served the art of music"; "He served the church"; "serve the country" work - operate in a certain place, area, or specialty; "She works the night clubs"; "The salesman works the Midwest"; "This artist works mostly in acrylics" |
| 2. | work - 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" serve - do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function; "He served as head of the department for three years"; "She served in Congress for two terms" bank - be in the banking business fill, occupy, take - assume, as of positions or roles; "She took the job as director of development"; "he occupies the position of manager"; "the young prince will soon occupy the throne" put to work, work - cause to work; "he is working his servants hard" drive - work as a driver; "He drives a bread truck"; "She drives for the taxi company in Newark" tinker - work as a tinker or tinkerer serve - do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted" work - 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" drudge, labour, moil, toil, travail, fag, labor, dig, grind - work hard; "She was digging away at her math homework"; "Lexicographers drudge all day long" farm - be a farmer; work as a farmer; "My son is farming in California" moonlight - work a second job, usually after hours; "The law student is moonlighting as a taxi driver" job - work occasionally; "As a student I jobbed during the semester breaks" man - take charge of a certain job; occupy a certain work place; "Mr. Smith manned the reception desk in the morning" subcontract - work under a subcontract; engage in a subcontract turn a trick - have a customer, of a prostitute freelance - work independently and on temporary contracts rather than for a long-term employer work - operate in a certain place, area, or specialty; "She works the night clubs"; "The salesman works the Midwest"; "This artist works mostly in acrylics" | |
| 3. |  work - 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"make for, wreak, bring, work, play - 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" bring home the bacon, deliver the goods, succeed, win, come through - attain success or reach a desired goal; "The enterprise succeeded"; "We succeeded in getting tickets to the show"; "she struggled to overcome her handicap and won" | |
| 4. | work - 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" double - do double duty; serve two purposes or have two functions; "She doubles as his wife and secretary" roll - begin operating or running; "The cameras were rolling"; "The presses are already rolling" run - be operating, running or functioning; "The car is still running--turn it off!" cut - function as a cutting instrument; "This knife cuts well" work - operate in or through; "Work the phones" | |
| 5. | work - shape, form, or improve a material; "work stone into tools"; "process iron"; "work the metal" transform, transmute, transubstantiate - change or alter in form, appearance, or nature; "This experience transformed her completely"; "She transformed the clay into a beautiful sculpture"; "transubstantiate one element into another" shape, mould, mold, form, forge, work - 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" hot-work - roll, press, forge, or shape (metal) while hot overwork - use too much; "This play has been overworked" rack - work on a rack; "rack leather" tool - work with a tool till - work land as by ploughing, harrowing, and manuring, in order to make it ready for cultivation; "till the soil" | |
| 6. | work - 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" warm up - cause to do preliminary exercises so as to stretch the muscles; "The coach warmed up the players before the game" put to work, work - cause to work; "he is working his servants hard" | |
| 7. | work - proceed along a path; "work one's way through the crowd"; "make one's way into the forest" claw - move as if by clawing, seizing, or digging; "They clawed their way to the top of the mountain" jostle - make one's way by jostling, pushing, or shoving; "We had to jostle our way to the front of the platform" go across, pass, go through - go across or through; "We passed the point where the police car had parked"; "A terrible thought went through his mind" bushwhack - cut one's way through the woods or bush work - 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" | |
| 8. | work - operate in a certain place, area, or specialty; "She works the night clubs"; "The salesman works the Midwest"; "This artist works mostly in acrylics" do work, work - 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" work - 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" | |
| 9. | work - 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. | work - move in an agitated manner; "His fingers worked with tension" | |
| 11. | work - 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" work, act - 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" | |
| 12. | work - cause to work; "he is working his servants hard" exercise, work, work out - 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" warm up - cause to do preliminary exercises so as to stretch the muscles; "The coach warmed up the players before the game" apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize - put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer" cybernate, computerise, computerize - control a function, process, or creation by a computer; "They computerized the car industry"; "we live in a cybernated age"; "cybernate a factory" rack - put on a rack and pinion; "rack a camera" | |
| 13. | work - prepare for crops; "Work the soil"; "cultivate the land" gear up, prepare, ready, set, fix, set up - make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc; "Get the children ready for school!"; "prepare for war"; "I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill" overcrop, overcultivate - to exhaust by excessive cultivation; "the farmers overcropped the land" | |
| 14. | work - behave in a certain way when handled; "This dough does not work easily"; "The soft metal works well" be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer" | |
| 15. |  work - have and exert influence or effect; "The artist's work influenced the young painter"; "She worked on her friends to support the political candidate"affect, bear upon, impact, bear on, touch on, touch - have an effect upon; "Will the new rules affect me?" prejudice, prepossess - influence (somebody's) opinion in advance militate - have force or influence; bring about an effect or change; "Politeness militated against this opinion being expressed" manipulate, pull strings, pull wires - influence or control shrewdly or deviously; "He manipulated public opinion in his favor" swing over, swing - influence decisively; "This action swung many votes over to his side" persuade, sway, carry - win approval or support for; "Carry all before one"; "His speech did not sway the voters" get at - influence by corruption fix - influence an event or its outcome by illegal means; "fix a race" dominate - be in control; "Her husband completely dominates her" | |
| 16. | work - operate in or through; "Work the phones" function, operate, work, run, go - 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" work - cause to operate or function; "This pilot works the controls"; "Can you work an electric drill?" | |
| 17. | work - cause to operate or function; "This pilot works the controls"; "Can you work an electric drill?" handle, manage, care, deal - be in charge of, act on, or dispose of; "I can deal with this crew of workers"; "This blender can't handle nuts"; "She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old" work - operate in or through; "Work the phones" | |
| 18. | work - provoke or excite; "The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy" exploit, work - 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" work - gratify and charm, usually in order to influence; "the political candidate worked the crowds" | |
| 19. | work - gratify and charm, usually in order to influence; "the political candidate worked the crowds" bewitch, captivate, charm, enamor, enamour, entrance, trance, becharm, beguile, enchant, capture, fascinate, catch - attract; cause to be enamored; "She captured all the men's hearts" work - provoke or excite; "The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy" | |
| 20. | work - 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" carve - form by carving; "Carve a flower from the ice" chip - form by chipping; "They chipped their names in the stone" layer - make or form a layer; "layer the different colored sands" cut out - form and create by cutting out; "Picasso cut out a guitar from a piece of paper" machine - turn, shape, mold, or otherwise finish by machinery grind - shape or form by grinding; "grind lenses for glasses and cameras" stamp - form or cut out with a mold, form, or die; "stamp needles" puddle - subject to puddling or form by puddling; "puddle iron" beat - shape by beating; "beat swords into ploughshares" create from raw material, create from raw stuff - make from scratch preform - form or shape beforehand or determine the shape of beforehand preform - form into a shape resembling the final, desired one mound - form into a rounded elevation; "mound earth" hill - form into a hill roughcast - shape roughly sinter - cause (ores or powdery metals) to become a coherent mass by heating without melting mould, mold, cast - form by pouring (e.g., wax or hot metal) into a cast or mold; "cast a bronze sculpture" throw - make on a potter's wheel; "she threw a beautiful teapot" hand-build, handbuild, coil - make without a potter's wheel; "This famous potter hand-builds all of her vessels" work on, work, process - shape, form, or improve a material; "work stone into tools"; "process iron"; "work the metal" | |
| 21. | work - 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" stir - mix or add by stirring; "Stir nuts into the dough" | |
| 22. | work - make uniform; "knead dough"; "work the clay until it is soft" manipulate - hold something in one's hands and move it proof - knead to reach proper lightness; "proof dough" masticate - grind and knead; "masticate rubber" work - behave in a certain way when handled; "This dough does not work easily"; "The soft metal works well" | |
| 23. | work - 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" apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize - put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer" make hay - turn to one's advantage; "The environmentalist lobby made hay of the nuclear plant accident" play - use to one's advantage; "She plays on her clients' emotions" work - provoke or excite; "The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy" use - seek or achieve an end by using to one's advantage; "She uses her influential friends to get jobs"; "The president's wife used her good connections" | |
| 24. | work - 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" understand - know and comprehend the nature or meaning of; "She did not understand her husband"; "I understand what she means" answer, resolve - understand the meaning of; "The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered" riddle - explain a riddle strike - arrive at after reckoning, deliberating, and weighing; "strike a balance"; "strike a bargain" guess, infer - guess correctly; solve by guessing; "He guessed the right number of beans in the jar and won the prize" answer - give the correct answer or solution to; "answer a question"; "answer the riddle" break - find the solution or key to; "break the code" | |
| 25. | work - 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" convert - change the nature, purpose, or function of something; "convert lead into gold"; "convert hotels into jails"; "convert slaves to laborers" sour, ferment, turn, work - go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked"; "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out" vinify - convert a juice into wine by fermentation; "vinify grape juice" | |
| 26. |  work - go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked"; "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out"change state, turn - undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; "We turned from Socialism to Capitalism"; "The people turned against the President when he stole the election" | |
| 27. | work - arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion; "The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times" |
work
verb
1. be employed, do business, have a job, earn a living, be in work, hold down a job I want to work, I don't want to be on welfare.
2. labour, sweat, slave, toil, slog (away), drudge, peg away, exert yourself, break your back My father worked hard all his life.
labour play, relax, laze, have fun, take it easy, mark time, skive (Brit. slang), bludge (Austral. & N.Z. informal)
labour play, relax, laze, have fun, take it easy, mark time, skive (Brit. slang), bludge (Austral. & N.Z. informal)
3. function, go, run, operate, perform, be in working order The pump doesn't work and we have no running water.
function be broken, be out of order
function be broken, be out of order
4. succeed, work out, pay off (informal), be successful, be effective, do the trick (informal), do the business (informal), get results, turn out well, have the desired result, go as planned Most of these diets don't work.
5. accomplish, cause, create, effect, achieve, carry out, implement, execute, bring about, encompass, contrive Modern medicine can work miracles.
6. handle, move, excite, manipulate, rouse, stir up, agitate, incite, whip up, galvanize a performer with the ability to work an audience
8. operate, use, move, control, drive, manage, direct, handle, manipulate, wield, ply I learnt how to work the forklift.
9. manipulate, make, form, process, fashion, shape, handle, mould, knead Work the dough with your hands until it is very smooth.
noun
1. employment, calling, business, job, line, office, trade, duty, craft, profession, occupation, pursuit, livelihood, métier What kind of work do you do?
employment play, holiday, unemployment, entertainment, retirement, hobby, recreation, spare time
employment play, holiday, unemployment, entertainment, retirement, hobby, recreation, spare time
2. effort, industry, labour, grind (informal), sweat, toil, slog, exertion, drudgery, travail (literary), elbow grease (facetious) This needs time and a lot of hard work.
effort rest, ease, leisure, relaxation
effort rest, ease, leisure, relaxation
3. task, jobs, projects, commissions, duties, assignments, chores, yakka (Austral. & N.Z. informal) I used to take work home, but I don't do it any more.
5. creation, performance, piece, production, opus, achievement, composition, oeuvre (French), handiwork In my opinion, this is Rembrandt's greatest work.
plural noun
2. writings, productions, output, canon, oeuvre (French) the complete works of Milton
3. deeds, acts, actions, doings a religious order who dedicated their lives to prayer and good works
4. mechanism, workings, parts, action, insides (informal), movement, guts (informal), machinery, moving parts, innards (informal) The box held what looked like the works of a large clock.
out of work unemployed, on the street, jobless, idle, on the dole (Brit. informal), out of a job A third of the population is out of work.
work on someone persuade, influence, manipulate, sway, put pressure on, coax, lean on, cajole, soften up, put the squeeze on someone (informal), twist someone's arm (informal) She's working on her dad to give her the money for the trip.
work out
1. happen, go, result, develop, come out, turn out, evolve, roll up, pan out (informal) Things didn't work out as planned.
2. succeed, flourish, go well, be effective, prosper, go as planned, prove satisfactory I hope everything works out for you in your new job.
work out at something amount to, come to, reach, add up to, reach a total of The price per pound works out at £3.20.
work someone up excite, move, spur, wind up (informal), arouse, animate, rouse, stir up, agitate, inflame, incite, instigate, get someone all steamed up (slang) By now she had worked herself up so much that she couldn't sleep.
work something out
1. solve, find out, resolve, calculate, figure out, clear up, suss (out) (slang), puzzle out It took me some time to work out what was going on.
Quotations
"I just don't happen to think [work]'s an appropriate subject for an ethic" [Barbara Ehrenreich Goodbye to the Work Ethic]
"Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion" [N. Northcote Parkinson Parkinson's Law]
"I mean, really: Why work? Simply to buy more stuff?" [Douglas Coupland Generation X]
"Work is the curse of the drinking classes" [Oscar Wilde]
"Work is the great cure of all maladies and miseries that ever beset mankind" [Thomas Carlyle]
"If any would not work, neither should he eat" Bible: II Thessalonians
"All that matters is love and work" [attributed to Sigmund Freud]
"Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing" [Robert Benchley]
"I just don't happen to think [work]'s an appropriate subject for an ethic" [Barbara Ehrenreich Goodbye to the Work Ethic]
"Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion" [N. Northcote Parkinson Parkinson's Law]
"I mean, really: Why work? Simply to buy more stuff?" [Douglas Coupland Generation X]
"Work is the curse of the drinking classes" [Oscar Wilde]
"Work is the great cure of all maladies and miseries that ever beset mankind" [Thomas Carlyle]
"If any would not work, neither should he eat" Bible: II Thessalonians
"All that matters is love and work" [attributed to Sigmund Freud]
"Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing" [Robert Benchley]
Proverbs
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"
Translations
work [ˈwɜːrk]
n
(= physical or mental effort) → travail m
to be hard work → être dur
It's hard work → C'est dur.
to be at work (= working) → travailler
to be at work on sth → travailler à qch
He had been at work on a book → Il avait travaillé à un livre.
to be hard at work → être en plein travail
to set to work → se mettre au travail
to set to work on sth, to go to work on sth → se mettre au travail sur qch
to start work on sth → commencer à travailler sur qch
to have one's work cut out doing sth, to have one's work cut out to do sth (= have great difficulty) → avoir toutes les peines du monde à faire qch
to make short work of doing sth (= do quickly) [person] → faire qch en moins de deux; [tool] → faire qch en moins de deux
to be hard work → être dur
It's hard work → C'est dur.
to be at work (= working) → travailler
to be at work on sth → travailler à qch
He had been at work on a book → Il avait travaillé à un livre.
to be hard at work → être en plein travail
to set to work → se mettre au travail
to set to work on sth, to go to work on sth → se mettre au travail sur qch
to start work on sth → commencer à travailler sur qch
to have one's work cut out doing sth, to have one's work cut out to do sth (= have great difficulty) → avoir toutes les peines du monde à faire qch
to make short work of doing sth (= do quickly) [person] → faire qch en moins de deux; [tool] → faire qch en moins de deux
(= tasks to be done) → travail m
There's a lot of work to be done on the house → Il y a beaucoup de travail à faire sur la maison.
There's a lot of work to be done on the house → Il y a beaucoup de travail à faire sur la maison.
(= employment) → travail m
She's looking for work → Elle cherche du travail.
to be in work → avoir un emploi
to be out of work → être sans emploi
He's out of work → Il est sans emploi.
to find work → trouver du travail
to start work (for first time) → commencer à travailler
Mr Barnett started work as a school teacher → M. Barnett commença à travailler comme instituteur.
She's looking for work → Elle cherche du travail.
to be in work → avoir un emploi
to be out of work → être sans emploi
He's out of work → Il est sans emploi.
to find work → trouver du travail
to start work (for first time) → commencer à travailler
Mr Barnett started work as a school teacher → M. Barnett commença à travailler comme instituteur.
(= duties involved in job) → travail m
I've got work to do → J'ai du travail à faire.
What kind of work do you do? → Quel genre de travail faites-vous?
to start work (daily) → commencer
What time do you start work? → À quelle heure commencez vous le matin?
to be off work → être arrêté(e)
He's been off work for a week → Il est arrêté depuis une semaine.
I've got work to do → J'ai du travail à faire.
What kind of work do you do? → Quel genre de travail faites-vous?
to start work (daily) → commencer
What time do you start work? → À quelle heure commencez vous le matin?
to be off work → être arrêté(e)
He's been off work for a week → Il est arrêté depuis une semaine.
(= place of employment) → travail m
to travel to work by car → se rendre au travail en voiture
What time do you get to work and what time do you leave? → À quelle heure arrivez-vous au travail et à quelle heure en repartez-vous?
to go to work → aller au travail
at work (= at place of employment) → au travail
He's at work at the moment → Il est au travail en ce moment.
to travel to work by car → se rendre au travail en voiture
What time do you get to work and what time do you leave? → À quelle heure arrivez-vous au travail et à quelle heure en repartez-vous?
to go to work → aller au travail
at work (= at place of employment) → au travail
He's at work at the moment → Il est au travail en ce moment.
(= papers) → travail m
His work was spread all over the table → Son travail était éparpillé sur toute la table.
to take work home → ramener du travail à la maison
His work was spread all over the table → Son travail était éparpillé sur toute la table.
to take work home → ramener du travail à la maison
(= painting, book, piece of music) → œuvre f
This is Rembrandt's greatest work → C'est la plus grande œuvre de Rembrandt.
This is Rembrandt's greatest work → C'est la plus grande œuvre de Rembrandt.
(= research) → travail m
He has done pioneering work in this field → Il a effectué un travail de pionnier dans ce domaine.
He has done pioneering work in this field → Il a effectué un travail de pionnier dans ce domaine.
to be the work of sb (= to have been done by sb) → être l'œuvre f de qn
Police suspect the ambush was the work of guerrillas → La police soupçonne l'embuscade d'être l'œuvre de guérilleros.
Police suspect the ambush was the work of guerrillas → La police soupçonne l'embuscade d'être l'œuvre de guérilleros.
modif [clothes, colleague, commitments, environment, visa] → de travail; [opportunities] → d'emploi
vi
(= have a job) → travailler
She works in a shop → Elle travaille dans un magasin.
to work for sb → travailler pour qn
She works for a drug company → Elle travaille pour une compagnie pharmaceutique.
to work as sth → travailler comme qch
He worked as a bricklayer's mate → Il travaillait comme aide-maçon.
to work in sth → travailler dans qch
He works in advertising → Il travaille dans la publicité.
She works in a shop → Elle travaille dans un magasin.
to work for sb → travailler pour qn
She works for a drug company → Elle travaille pour une compagnie pharmaceutique.
to work as sth → travailler comme qch
He worked as a bricklayer's mate → Il travaillait comme aide-maçon.
to work in sth → travailler dans qch
He works in advertising → Il travaille dans la publicité.
(= do job or task) → travailler
They are expected to work twelve hours a day → On attend d'eux qu'ils travaillent douze heures par jour.
to work hard → travailler dur
They are expected to work twelve hours a day → On attend d'eux qu'ils travaillent douze heures par jour.
to work hard → travailler dur
[artist, craftsman] → travailler
to work in sth [+ oils, watercolours] → travailler à qch; [+ wood, clay] → travailler qch
to work in sth [+ oils, watercolours] → travailler à qch; [+ wood, clay] → travailler qch
(= strive) → œuvrer
to work for peace → œuvrer pour la paix
to work hard to do sth → travailler dur pour faire qch
to work for peace → œuvrer pour la paix
to work hard to do sth → travailler dur pour faire qch
(= be successful) [plan, idea, method, scheme] → marcher
My plan worked perfectly → Mon plan a parfaitement marché.
My plan worked perfectly → Mon plan a parfaitement marché.
(= take effect) [medicine, drug] → agir
How long does a sleeping pill take to work? → Combien de temps met un somnifère avant d'agir?
How long does a sleeping pill take to work? → Combien de temps met un somnifère avant d'agir?
(= have particular effect) to work in sb's favour [factor, age] → jouer en faveur de qn
to work against sb [factor, age] → jouer en défaveur de qn
His attitude worked against him → Son attitude a joué en sa défaveur.
to work against sb [factor, age] → jouer en défaveur de qn
His attitude worked against him → Son attitude a joué en sa défaveur.
[mind, brain]
My mind was working frantically → Je me creusais désespérément la tête.
My mind was working frantically → Je me creusais désespérément la tête.
to work loose (= gradually move) [screw] → se desserrer; [pin, knot] → se défaire
(= move) [muscles, face, mouth] → bouger
vt
(= shape) [+ clay, wood, stone, leather] → travailler
(= operate) [+ machine] → faire marcher, faire fonctionner
(= cause to labour) [+ person] → faire travailler
to work sb hard → faire travailler dur qn
to work o.s. too hard → être trop dur(e) à la tâche
to work sb hard → faire travailler dur qn
to work o.s. too hard → être trop dur(e) à la tâche
(= operate in) [sales rep] [+ area, region] → faire
She works clubs and pubs → Elle fait les boîtes et les pubs.
She works clubs and pubs → Elle fait les boîtes et les pubs.
(= bring about) [+ miracles, change] → faire
I can't work miracles, you know → Je ne peux pas faire des miracles, vous savez.
I can't work miracles, you know → Je ne peux pas faire des miracles, vous savez.
(= exert) to work one's charm on sb → exercer son charme sur qn
to work one's magic on sb → tenir qn sous son charme
to work one's magic on sb → tenir qn sous son charme
(= move) [+ muscles] → faire travailler
Each position will work the muscles in a different way → Chaque position fera travailler les muscles d'une manière différente.
to work one's way → se frayer un passage
Rescuers were still working their way towards the trapped men → Les sauveteurs s'efforçaient encore de se frayer un passage jusqu'aux hommes prisonniers des décombres.
to work one's way to the top → gravir les échelons
to work one's way up (fig) → gravir les échelons
Each position will work the muscles in a different way → Chaque position fera travailler les muscles d'une manière différente.
to work one's way → se frayer un passage
Rescuers were still working their way towards the trapped men → Les sauveteurs s'efforçaient encore de se frayer un passage jusqu'aux hommes prisonniers des décombres.
to work one's way to the top → gravir les échelons
to work one's way up (fig) → gravir les échelons
(COOKERY) to work sth in [+ flour, butter] → intégrer qch
to work sth into sth [+ oil, flour, butter] → intégrer qch à qch
to work sth into sth [+ oil, flour, butter] → intégrer qch à qch
work off
vt sep [+ debt] → travailler pour payer
work on
vt fus [+ book, project] → travailler sur, travailler à; [+ article, car] → travailler sur; [+ garden] → travailler dans
He's working on a new novel → Il travaille à un nouveau roman., Il travaille sur un nouveau roman.
What are you working on at the moment? → Sur quoi travaillez-vous en ce moment?
He's working on his car → Il travaille sur sa voiture.
She spends all her time working on the garden → Elle passe tout son temps à travailler dans son jardin.
He's working on a new novel → Il travaille à un nouveau roman., Il travaille sur un nouveau roman.
What are you working on at the moment? → Sur quoi travaillez-vous en ce moment?
He's working on his car → Il travaille sur sa voiture.
She spends all her time working on the garden → Elle passe tout son temps à travailler dans son jardin.
(= topic, research) → travailler sur
Professor Bonner has been working on molecules of this type → Le professeur Bonner travaille sur des molécules de ce type.
Professor Bonner has been working on molecules of this type → Le professeur Bonner travaille sur des molécules de ce type.
vt sep
(= figure out) [+ problem] → résoudre; [+ mystery, code] → percer; [+ puzzle] → rassembler les pièces de; [+ compromise, solution] → trouver
We need to work out a solution to this problem → Nous devons trouver une solution à ce problème.
to have sth all worked out → avoir déjà prévu qch
We need to work out a solution to this problem → Nous devons trouver une solution à ce problème.
to have sth all worked out → avoir déjà prévu qch
(= understand) → arriver à comprendre
I just couldn't work it out → Je n'arrivais pas du tout à comprendre.
I can't work out why ... → Je n'arrive pas à comprendre pourquoi ...
I just couldn't work it out → Je n'arrivais pas du tout à comprendre.
I can't work out why ... → Je n'arrive pas à comprendre pourquoi ...
(= calculate) [+ answer] → trouver
vi
[plans] → marcher; [relationship] → bien se passer
In the end it worked out really well → Au bout du compte, ça a très bien marché., Au bout du compte, cela s'est vraiment bien passé.
How's your job working out? → Comment ça se passe ton travail?
The deal just isn't working out the way we were promised → Le marché ne se passe pas du tout comme on nous l'avait promis.
In the end it worked out really well → Au bout du compte, ça a très bien marché., Au bout du compte, cela s'est vraiment bien passé.
How's your job working out? → Comment ça se passe ton travail?
The deal just isn't working out the way we were promised → Le marché ne se passe pas du tout comme on nous l'avait promis.
to work out at (= add up to) → revenir à
It works out at £10 each → Cela revient à dix livres chacun.
to work out cheaper → revenir moins cher
It works out at £10 each → Cela revient à dix livres chacun.
to work out cheaper → revenir moins cher
work towards
vt fus [+ solution, agreement, compromise] → travailler àwork up
vt sep to work o.s. up → s'énerver
You're working yourself up over nothing → Tu t'énerves pour rien.
She worked herself up into a bit of a state
BUT Elle s'est mise dans un drôle d'état.
You're working yourself up over nothing → Tu t'énerves pour rien.
She worked herself up into a bit of a state
BUT Elle s'est mise dans un drôle d'état.
to work up the courage to do sth → trouver le courage de faire qch
to work up the energy to do sth → trouver l'énergie de faire qch
He couldn't work up any enthusiasm for the idea → Il n'arrivait pas du tout à s'enthousiasmer pour cette idée.
to work up the energy to do sth → trouver l'énergie de faire qch
He couldn't work up any enthusiasm for the idea → Il n'arrivait pas du tout à s'enthousiasmer pour cette idée.
work
work:
work:
work:
work:
n
(= toil, labour, task) → Arbeit f; have you got any work for me? → haben Sie was für mich zu tun?; (= employment) → haben Sie Arbeit für mich?; he doesn’t like work → er arbeitet nicht gern; that’s a good piece of work → das ist gute Arbeit; is this all your own work? → haben Sie das alles selbst gemacht?; closed for work on the roof → wegen (Reparatur)arbeiten am Dach geschlossen; when work begins on the new bridge → wenn die Arbeiten an der neuen Brücke anfangen; to be at work (on something) (→ an etw dat) → arbeiten; there are forces at work which … → es sind Kräfte am Werk, die …; it’s the work of the devil → das ist Teufelswerk or ein Machwerk des Teufels; to do a good day’s work → ein schönes Stück Arbeit leisten; nice or good work! → gut or super (inf) → gemacht!; we’ve a lot of work to do before this choir can give a concert → wir haben noch viel zu tun, ehe dieser Chor ein Konzert geben kann; you need to do some more work on your accent/your technique → Sie müssen noch an Ihrem Akzent/an Ihrer Technik arbeiten; to get or set to work on something → sich an etw (acc) → machen; I’ve been trying to get some work done → ich habe versucht zu arbeiten; to put a lot of work into something → eine Menge Arbeit in etw (acc) → stecken; it’s in the works (inf) → es ist in der Mache (inf); to get on with one’s work → sich (wieder) an die Arbeit machen; to make short or quick work of somebody/something → mit jdm/etw kurzen Prozess machen; to make work for somebody → jdm Arbeit machen; time/the medicine had done its work → die Zeit/Arznei hatte ihr Werk vollbracht/ihre Wirkung getan; the work of a moment → eine Angelegenheit von Sekunden; it was hard work for the old car to get up the hill → das alte Auto hatte beim Anstieg schwer zu schaffen
(= employment, job) → Arbeit f; to be (out) at work → arbeiten sein; to go out to work → arbeiten gehen; to be out of work → arbeitslos sein; to be in work → eine Stelle haben; he travels to work by car → er fährt mit dem Auto zur Arbeit; do you live close to your work? → hast du es weit zur Arbeit?; how long does it take you to get to work? → wie lange brauchst du, um zu deiner Arbeitsstelle zu kommen?; at work → an der Arbeitsstelle, am Arbeitsplatz; what is your work? → was tun Sie (beruflich)?; to put or throw somebody out of work → jdn arbeitslos machen; to be off work → (am Arbeitsplatz) fehlen
(= product) → Arbeit f; (Art, Liter) → Werk nt; a work of art → ein Kunstwerk nt; a work of reference → ein Nachschlagewerk nt; a work of literature → ein literarisches Werk; a fine piece of work → eine schöne Arbeit; good works → gute Werke pl; a chance for artists to show their work → eine Gelegenheit für Künstler, ihre Arbeiten or Werke zu zeigen
works pl (Mil) → Befestigungen pl
works sing or pl (Brit: = factory) → Betrieb m, → Fabrik f; gas/steel works → Gas-/Stahlwerk nt; works gate → Fabrik- or Werkstor nt; works outing → Betriebsausflug m
(inf) the works pl → alles Drum und Dran; to give somebody the works (= treat harshly) → jdn gehörig in die Mangel nehmen (inf); (= treat generously) → jdn nach allen Regeln der Kunst or nach Strich und Faden verwöhnen (inf); to get the works (= be treated harshly) → gehörig in die Mangel genommen werden (inf); (= be treated generously) → nach allen Regeln der Kunst or nach Strich und Faden verwöhnt werden (inf); we had fantastic food, wine, brandy, the works → es gab tolles Essen, Wein, Kognak, alle Schikanen (inf); he was giving his opponent the works → er machte seinen Gegner nach allen Regeln der Kunst fertig (inf)
vi
person → arbeiten (→ at an +dat); to work toward(s)/for something → auf etw (acc) → hin/für etw arbeiten; to work for better conditions etc → sich für bessere Bedingungen etc einsetzen; to work against a reform → gegen eine Reform kämpfen; these factors which work against us/in our favour (Brit) or favor (US) → diese Faktoren, die gegen uns/zu unseren Gunsten arbeiten
(= function, operate) → funktionieren; (plan) → funktionieren, klappen (inf); (medicine, spell) → wirken; (= be successful) → klappen (inf); it won’t work → das klappt nicht; “not working” (lift etc) → „außer Betrieb“; to get something working → etw in Gang bringen; it works by or on electricity → es läuft auf Strom; it works both ways → es trifft auch andersherum zu; but this arrangement will have to work both ways → aber diese Abmachung muss für beide Seiten gelten
vt
(= make work) staff, employees, students → arbeiten lassen, herannehmen (inf), → schinden (pej); to work oneself/somebody hard → sich/jdn nicht schonen; he works himself too hard → er übernimmt sich; to work oneself to death → sich zu Tode arbeiten
(= operate) machine → bedienen; lever, brake → betätigen; to work something by electricity/hand → etw elektrisch/mit Hand betreiben; can we work that trick again? → können wir den Trick noch einmal anbringen or anwenden?
(= bring about) change, cure → bewirken, herbeiführen; to work mischief → Unheil anrichten; to work it (so that …) (inf) → es so deichseln(, dass …) (inf); to work one’s passage → seine Überfahrt abarbeiten; you don’t have to work your notice → Sie brauchen Ihre Kündigungsfrist nicht einzuhalten ? work up
(= shape) wood, metal → bearbeiten; dough, clay also → kneten, bearbeiten; he worked the clay into a human shape → er formte den Ton zu einer menschlichen Gestalt; work the flour in gradually/the ingredients together → mischen Sie das Mehl allmählich unter/die Zutaten (zusammen)
(= exploit) mine → ausbeuten, abbauen; land → bearbeiten; smallholding → bewirtschaften; (salesman) area → bereisen
muscles → trainieren
(= move gradually) to work one’s hands free → seine Hände freibekommen; to work something loose → etw losbekommen; to work one’s way through a book → sich durch ein Buch arbeiten; to work one’s way to the top → sich nach oben arbeiten or kämpfen; to work one’s way up from nothing → sich von ganz unten hocharbeiten; to work one’s way through college → sein Studium selbst or durch eigene Arbeit finanzieren; he worked his way across the rock face/through the tunnel → er überquerte die Felswand/kroch durch den Tunnel; to work oneself into somebody’s confidence → sich in jds Vertrauen (acc) → einschleichen
work:
work area
n → Arbeitsplatz or -bereich m
work associate
n → Arbeitskollege m → /-kollegin f
workbag
n (Sew) → Näh- or Handarbeitsbeutel m
work basket
n (Sew) → Näh- or Handarbeitskorb m
workbench
n → Werkbank f
workbook
n → Arbeitsheft nt
work camp
n → Arbeitslager nt
work coat
n (US) → Arbeitsmantel m, → Arbeitskittel m
workday
work:
work ethic
n → Arbeitsmoral f
workfare
n Programm, das Arbeitslose verpflichtet, eine Tätigkeit oder Ausbildung zu absolvieren, um weiterhin Zahlungen zu empfangen
work file
n (Comput) → Arbeitsdatei f
workflow
n → Arbeitsablauf m
workflow schedule
n → Arbeitsablaufplan m
workforce
n → Arbeitskräfte pl
work glove
n → Arbeitshandschuh m
workhorse
n (lit, fig) → Arbeitspferd nt
workhouse
n (Brit Hist) → Armenhaus nt
work-in
n → Work-in nt
work:
workless
adj → arbeitslos
work-life balance
workload
n → Arbeit(slast) f
workman
n → Handwerker m; a bad work always blames his tools (prov) → ein schlechter Arbeiter gibt immer seinem Werkzeug die Schuld
workmanlike
adj attitude, job → fachmännisch; product → fachmännisch gearbeitet
workmanship
n → Arbeit(squalität) f
workmen’s comp
n (inf), workmen’s compensation
n (US, in case of occupational disease etc) → Entschädigung f
work permit
n → Arbeitserlaubnis f
workpiece
n → Werkstück nt
workplace
workplace bullying
n → Mobbing nt → (am Arbeitsplatz)
work programme, (US) work program
n → Arbeitsprogramm nt
workroom
n → Arbeitszimmer nt
work:
work-sharing
n → Arbeitsteilung f
workshy
adj → arbeitsscheu
workstation
work stoppage
n → Arbeitsniederlegung f
work-study
n → REFA- or Arbeitsstudie f
work surface
n → Arbeitsfläche f
worktable
n → Arbeitstisch m
work ticket
n → Arbeitszettel m
worktop
n (Brit) → Arbeitsfläche f
work-to-rule
n → Dienst m → nach Vorschrift
work visa
n (US) → Arbeitserlaubnis f
workwear
n → Arbeitskleidung f
workweek
n (esp US) → Arbeitswoche f
work [wɜːk]
1. n
a. (gen) → lavoro
it's hard work → è un lavoro duro
to be at work (on sth) → lavorare (a qc)
men at work → lavori in corso
it's all in a day's work → è una cosa di ordinaria amministrazione
to get on with one's work → continuare il proprio lavoro
the forces at work → gli elementi che influiscono
work on the new school has begun → sono cominciati i lavori per la nuova scuola
a good piece of work → un buon lavoro
to set sb to work doing sth → mettere qn a fare qc
to set to work (on), start work (on) → mettersi al lavoro (a)
I'm trying to get some work done → sto cercando di lavorare
to make short or quick work of (sth) → sbrigare in fretta (fig) (fam) (sb) → sistemare subito
it's hard work → è un lavoro duro
to be at work (on sth) → lavorare (a qc)
men at work → lavori in corso
it's all in a day's work → è una cosa di ordinaria amministrazione
to get on with one's work → continuare il proprio lavoro
the forces at work → gli elementi che influiscono
work on the new school has begun → sono cominciati i lavori per la nuova scuola
a good piece of work → un buon lavoro
to set sb to work doing sth → mettere qn a fare qc
to set to work (on), start work (on) → mettersi al lavoro (a)
I'm trying to get some work done → sto cercando di lavorare
to make short or quick work of (sth) → sbrigare in fretta (fig) (fam) (sb) → sistemare subito
b. (employment, job) → lavoro
to go to work → andare al lavoro
he's at work today → oggi è al lavoro
to look for work → cercare lavoro
to be out of work → essere disoccupato/a
to be in work → avere un lavoro
to put or throw sb out of work → licenziare qn
he's off work this week → questa settimana non lavora
he hasn't done a day's work in his life → non ha mai lavorato in vita sua
to go to work → andare al lavoro
he's at work today → oggi è al lavoro
to look for work → cercare lavoro
to be out of work → essere disoccupato/a
to be in work → avere un lavoro
to put or throw sb out of work → licenziare qn
he's off work this week → questa settimana non lavora
he hasn't done a day's work in his life → non ha mai lavorato in vita sua
c. (product, of writer, musician, scholar) → opera
his life's work → il lavoro di tutta la sua vita
he sells a lot of his work → vende molti dei suoi lavori
good works → opere fpl buone
work of art/reference → opera d'arte/di consultazione
the works of Dickens → le opere di Dickens
he's a nasty piece of work (fig) → è un tipaccio
see also works
his life's work → il lavoro di tutta la sua vita
he sells a lot of his work → vende molti dei suoi lavori
good works → opere fpl buone
work of art/reference → opera d'arte/di consultazione
the works of Dickens → le opere di Dickens
he's a nasty piece of work (fig) → è un tipaccio
see also works
2. vt
b. (operate) → azionare
can you work the photocopier? → sai usare la fotocopiatrice?
it is worked by electricity → va a corrente
can you work the photocopier? → sai usare la fotocopiatrice?
it is worked by electricity → va a corrente
c. (miracle) → fare; (change) → operare
to work wonders → fare miracoli
she managed to work her promotion → è riuscita a garantirsi la promozione
they worked it so that she could come (fam) → hanno fatto in modo che potesse venire
to work sth into a speech → far scivolare qc in un discorso
to work one's passage on a ship → pagarsi il viaggio su una nave lavorando (a bordo della stessa)
to work one's way through college → lavorare per pagarsi gli studi
to work one's way along sth → avanzare lentamente lungo qc
to work one's hands free → riuscire a liberarsi le mani
to work sth loose → far smollare qc
to work one's way through a book → leggersi pazientemente un libro
he worked his way up from the factory floor → ha cominciato come umile operaio
to work one's way up to the top of a company → farsi strada fino al vertice di una società
to work o.s. into a rage → andare in bestia
to work wonders → fare miracoli
she managed to work her promotion → è riuscita a garantirsi la promozione
they worked it so that she could come (fam) → hanno fatto in modo che potesse venire
to work sth into a speech → far scivolare qc in un discorso
to work one's passage on a ship → pagarsi il viaggio su una nave lavorando (a bordo della stessa)
to work one's way through college → lavorare per pagarsi gli studi
to work one's way along sth → avanzare lentamente lungo qc
to work one's hands free → riuscire a liberarsi le mani
to work sth loose → far smollare qc
to work one's way through a book → leggersi pazientemente un libro
he worked his way up from the factory floor → ha cominciato come umile operaio
to work one's way up to the top of a company → farsi strada fino al vertice di una società
to work o.s. into a rage → andare in bestia
3. vi
a. → lavorare
to work towards/for sth → lavorare in vista di/per qc
to work hard → lavorare sodo
to work at or on sth (essay, project) → lavorare su qc
she's working at her desk → sta lavorando alla scrivania
to work to rule (Industry) → fare uno sciopero bianco
to work like a Trojan → lavorare come un(a) pazzo/a
to work towards/for sth → lavorare in vista di/per qc
to work hard → lavorare sodo
to work at or on sth (essay, project) → lavorare su qc
she's working at her desk → sta lavorando alla scrivania
to work to rule (Industry) → fare uno sciopero bianco
to work like a Trojan → lavorare come un(a) pazzo/a
b. (machine, plan, brain) → funzionare; (drug, medicine) → fare effetto
to get sth working → far funzionare qc
it works off the mains → funziona a corrente
it works both ways (fig) → funziona nei due sensi
to get sth working → far funzionare qc
it works off the mains → funziona a corrente
it works both ways (fig) → funziona nei due sensi
c. (mouth, face, jaws) → contrarsi
work in
1. vi + adv (arrangement) → inserirsi
work on vi + prep
a. (task, novel) → lavorare a
he's working on the car → sta facendo dei lavori alla macchina
the police are working on the case → la polizia sta facendo indagini sul caso
he's working on the car → sta facendo dei lavori alla macchina
the police are working on the case → la polizia sta facendo indagini sul caso
b. (principle, assumption) → basarsi su
we've no clues to work on → non abbiamo indizi su cui basarci
we're working on the principle that ... → partiamo dal presupposto che... + sub
we've no clues to work on → non abbiamo indizi su cui basarci
we're working on the principle that ... → partiamo dal presupposto che... + sub
c. (persuade, influence) to work on sb → lavorarsi qn
work out
1. vi + adv
a. (problem) → risolversi
b. (amount to) the cost worked out at £50 → il costo ammontava a 50 sterline
it works out at £100 → fa 100 sterline
it works out at £100 → fa 100 sterline
c. (succeed, plan, marriage) → riuscire, funzionare
I hope it all works out for you → spero che ti vada tutto bene
things aren't working out as planned → le cose non stanno andando come previsto
I hope it all works out for you → spero che ti vada tutto bene
things aren't working out as planned → le cose non stanno andando come previsto
d. (Sport) → allenarsi
2. vt + adv
a. (problem, calculation) → risolvere
I can't work out the percentage → non riesco a calcolare la percentuale
things will work themselves out → tutto si sistemerà
I can't work out the percentage → non riesco a calcolare la percentuale
things will work themselves out → tutto si sistemerà
b. (devise, plan, details) → mettere a punto
c. (understand, behaviour) → capire
d. (exhaust, resources) → esaurire
work over vt + adv (fam) → pestare
work up vt + adv
a. (develop, trade) → sviluppare
to work up an appetite → farsi venire appetito
to work up enthusiasm for sth → entusiasmarsi per qc
to work up an appetite → farsi venire appetito
to work up enthusiasm for sth → entusiasmarsi per qc
b. to work sb up into a temper/fury → far arrabbiare/infuriare qn
1. effort made in order to achieve or make something. He has done a lot of work on this project
2. employment. I cannot find work in this town.
3. a task or tasks; the thing that one is working on. Please clear your work off the table.
4. a painting, book, piece of music etc. the works of Van Gogh / Shakespeare/Mozart; This work was composed in 1816.
5. the product or result of a person's labours. His work has shown a great improvement lately.
6. one's place of employment. He left (his) work at 5.30 p.m.; I don't think I'll go to work tomorrow.
verb1. to (cause to) make efforts in order to achieve or make something. She works at the factory three days a week; He works his employees very hard; I've been working on/at a new project.
2. to be employed. Are you working just now?
3. to (cause to) operate (in the correct way). 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.
4. to be practicable and/or successful. If my scheme works, we'll be rich!
5. to make (one's way) slowly and carefully with effort or difficulty. She worked her way up the rock face.
6. to get into, or put into, a stated condition or position, slowly and gradually. The wheel worked loose.
7. to make by craftsmanship. The ornaments had been worked in gold.
-work1. (the art of making) goods of a particular material. He learns woodwork at school; This shop sells basketwork.
2. parts of something, eg a building, made of a particular material. The stonework/woodwork/paintwork needs to be renewed.
ˈworkable adjective (of a plan) able to be carried out.
ˈworker noun1. a person who works or who is employed in an office, a factory etc. office-workers; car-workers.
2. a manual worker rather than an office-worker etc.
3. a person who works (hard etc). He's a slow/hard worker.
works noun singular or plural a factory etc. The steelworks is/are closed for the holidays.
noun plural1. the mechanism (of a watch, clock etc). The works are all rusted.
2. deeds, actions etc. She's devoted her life to good works.
ˈwork-basket, ˈwork-boxetc nouns a basket, box etc for holding thread, needlework etc.
ˈworkbook noun a book of exercises usually with spaces for answers.
ˈworkforce noun the number of workers (available for work) in a particular industry, factory etc.
working class the section of society who work with their hands, doing manual labour.
working day, ˈwork-day nouns1. a day on which one goes to work, and is not on holiday.
2. the period of actual labour in a normal day at work. My working day is eight hours long.
working hours the times of day between which one is at work. Normal working hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ˈworking-party, ˈwork-party nouns a group of people gathered together (usually voluntarily) to perform a particular physical task. They organized a work-party to clear the canal of weeds.
working week the five days from Monday to Friday inclusive when people go to work.
ˈworkman noun a man who does manual work. the workmen on a building site.
ˈworkmanlike adjective1. suitable to a good workman. a workmanlike attitude.
2. well performed. a workmanlike job.
ˈworkmanship noun the skill of a qualified workman; skill in making things.
ˈworkmate noun one of the people who work in the same place of employment as oneself. Her workmates teased her about being the boss's favourite.
ˈworkout noun a period of hard physical exercise for the purpose of keeping fit etc.
ˈworkshop noun1. a room or building, especially in a factory etc where construction and repairs are carried out.
2. a course of experimental work for a group of people on a particular project.
at work working. He's writing a novel and he likes to be at work (on it) by eight o'clock every morning.
get/set to work to start work. Could you get to work painting that ceiling?; I'll have to set to work on this mending this evening.
go to work on to begin work on. We're thinking of going to work on an extension to the house.
have one's work cut out to be faced with a difficult task. You'll have your work cut out to beat the champion.
in working order (of a machine etc) operating correctly.
out of work having no employment. He's been out of work for months.
work of art a painting, sculpture etc.
work off to get rid of (something unwanted or unpleasant) by taking physical exercise etc. He worked off his anger by running round the garden six times.
work out1. to solve or calculate correctly. I can't work out how many should be left.
2. to come to a satisfactory end. Don't worry – it will all work out (in the end).
3. to perform physical exercises.
work up1. to excite or rouse gradually. She worked herself up into a fury. (adjective ˌworked-ˈup: Don't get so worked-up!).
2. to raise or create. I just can't work up any energy/appetite/enthusiasm today.
work up to to progress towards and prepare for. Work up to the difficult exercises gradually.
work wonders to produce marvellous results. These pills have worked wonders on my rheumatism.
work → عمل, يَعمَل práce, pracovat arbejde Arbeit, arbeiten δουλειά, δουλεύω trabajar, trabajo työ, työskennellä travail, travailler rad, raditi lavorare, lavoro 働く, 労働 일, 일하다 werk, werken arbeid, arbeide praca, pracować trabalhar, trabalho работа, работать arbeta, arbete การงาน, ทำงาน çalışmak, iş công việc, làm việc 工作
work
n. trabajo, empleo, ocupación;
v. trabajar.
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