activity directed toward making or doing something; she checked several points needing further 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
[ Syn: piece of work ]
the occupation for which you are paid; he is looking for employment; a lot of people are out of work
[ Syn: employment ]
applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading); mastering a second language requires a lot of work; no schools offer graduate study in interior design
[ Syn: study ]
(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'
a place where work is done; he arrived at work early today
[ Syn: workplace ]
the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it); he studied the entire Wagnerian oeuvre; Picassos work can be divided into periods
[ Syn: oeuvre , body of work ]
work (n.)
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'
move in an agitated manner; His fingers worked with tension'
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
cause to work; he is working his servants hard
[ Syn: put to work ]
prepare for crops; Work the soil; cultivate the land
behave in a certain way when handled; This dough does not work easily; The soft metal works well'
have and exert influence or effect; The artists work influenced the young painter; She worked on her friends to support the political candidate
operate in or through; Work the phones'
cause to operate or function; This pilot works the controls; Can you work an electric drill?'
provoke or excite; The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy'
gratify and charm, usually in order to influence; the political candidate worked the crowds'
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
[ Syn: do 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
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'
make uniform; knead dough; work the clay until it is soft
[ Syn: knead ]
use or manipulate to ones advantage; He exploit the new taxation system; She knows how to work the system; he works his parents for sympathy
[ Syn: exploit ]
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 isnt going to work itself out; did you get it?; Did you get my meaning?; He could not work the math problem
[ Syn: solve , work out , figure out , puzzle out , lick ]
cause to undergo fermentation; We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content; The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats
[ Syn: ferment ]
go sour or spoil; The milk has soured; The wine worked; The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion; The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times'
have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected; The voting process doesnt work as well as people thought; How does your idea work in practice?; This method doesnt work; The breaks of my new car act quickly; The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
[ Syn: act ]
perform as expected when applied; The washing machine wont go unless its plugged in; Does this old car still run well?; This old radio doesnt work anymore
shape, form, or improve a material; work stone into tools; process iron; work the metal
give a workout to; Some parents exercise their infants; My personal trainer works me hard; work ones muscles; this puzzle will exercise your mind
proceed along a path; work ones way through the crowd; make ones way into the forest
[ Syn: make ]
operate in a certain place, area, or specialty; She works the night clubs; The salesman works the Midwest; This artist works mostly in acrylics'
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'