noun. activity directed toward making or doing something she checked several points needing further work |
noun. 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 |
noun. the occupation for which you are paid he is looking for employment|a lot of people are out of work |
noun. 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 |
noun. (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 |
noun. a place where work is done he arrived at work early today |
noun. 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 |
verb. 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 |
verb. 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 |
verb. 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 |
verb. 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 |
verb. shape, form, or improve a material work stone into tools|process iron|work the metal |
verb. 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 |
verb. proceed along a path work one's way through the crowd|make one's way into the forest |
verb. operate in a certain place, area, or specialty She works the night clubs|The salesman works the Midwest|This artist works mostly in acrylics |
verb. 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 |
verb. move in an agitated manner His fingers worked with tension |
verb. 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 |
verb. cause to work he is working his servants hard |
verb. prepare for crops Work the soil|cultivate the land |
verb. behave in a certain way when handled This dough does not work easily|The soft metal works well |
verb. have and exert influence or effect The artist's work influenced the young painter|She worked on her friends to support the political candidate |
verb. operate in or through Work the phones |
verb. cause to operate or function This pilot works the controls|Can you work an electric drill? |
verb. provoke or excite The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy |
verb. gratify and charm, usually in order to influence the political candidate worked the crowds |
verb. 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 |
verb. 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 |
verb. make uniform knead dough|work the clay until it is soft |
verb. 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 |
verb. 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 |
verb. 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 |
verb. go sour or spoil The milk has soured|The wine worked|The cream has turned--we have to throw it out |
verb. arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times |
|
