work Definition
- 1activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a result
- 2a place where one is employed
Using work: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "work" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
I have a lot of work to do today.
Example
She works as a teacher.
Example
The machine is not working properly.
Example
He has been working on his novel for months.
work Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using work
Example
The experienced team made short work of their inexperienced opponents.
Example
Dealing with difficult customers is all in a day's work for a customer service representative.
Example
With only a week to prepare, we have our work cut out for us to finish the project on time.
Phrases with work
Example
I usually work out at the gym after work.
Example
I need to work on my presentation for tomorrow's meeting.
work up
to develop or increase gradually
Example
She worked up the courage to ask for a raise.
Origins of work
from Old English 'weorc', meaning 'something done, fortification, structure'
Summary: work in Brief
The term 'work' [wɜːrk] refers to activities requiring mental or physical effort to achieve a result. It can also refer to a place of employment, as in 'She works as a teacher.' Phrases like 'work out' and 'work on' denote exercising or focusing on a task, while idioms like 'make short work of' and 'have one's work cut out for one' imply ease or difficulty in completing a task.