work

[wɜːrk]

work Definition

• 1. activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a result
• 2. a 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

Synonyms for work

• labor
• employment
• job
• task
• duty

Antonyms for work

• leisure
• rest

Idioms Using work

• make short work of

  to quickly and easily finish a task or defeat an opponent

  Example

  The experienced team made short work of their inexperienced opponents.

• all in a day's work

  something that is typical or expected in one's job or profession

  Example

  Dealing with difficult customers is all in a day's work for a customer service representative.

• have one's work cut out for one

  to face a difficult task or challenge

  Example

  With only a week to prepare, we have our work cut out for us to finish the project on time.

Phrases with work

• work out

  to exercise or train

  Example

  I usually work out at the gym after work.

• work on

  to focus on or devote time to something

  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'

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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.