work

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”

the occupation for which you are paid

• “he is looking for employment”
• “a lot of people are out of 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”

the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it)

• “he studied the entire Wagnerian oeuvre”
• “Picasso”

a place where work is done

• “he arrived at work early today”

(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”

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”

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”

have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected

• “The voting process doesn”
• “;”
• “;”
• “t work”
• “The breaks of my new car act quickly”
• “The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water”

perform as expected when applied

• “The washing machine won”
• “s plugged in”
• “Does this old car still run well?”
• “This old radio doesn”

shape, form, or improve a material

• “work stone into tools”
• “process iron”
• “work the metal”

give a work-out to

• “Some parents exercise their infants”
• “My personal trainer works me hard”
• “work one”

proceed along a path

• “work one”
• “;”
• “s way into the forest”

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”

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”

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 artist”
• “;”

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”

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”

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”

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”
• “;”
• “;”
• “;”

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”

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”