Laxi Dictionary

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Definition work in British English

work verb

verb
/wɜː(r)k/
1

to spend time trying to achieve something, especially when this involves using a lot of effort

Example

I've been working in the garden all day.

Example

Our thanks go to everybody who has worked on this project.

Example

He worked tirelessly to improve safety conditions in the mines.

Synonyms and related words
boil the ocean work strive
1.1

to make someone work

Example

She always works us too hard.

Synonyms and related words
work drive push
Example

He works in oils and acrylics, painting mostly landscapes.

Synonyms and related words
work create base on
2

to have a job, usually one that you are paid to do

Example

Dominic works part-time.

Example

I hope to work in marketing when I'm older.

Example

She worked as a journalist.

Example

All our nursery nurses are qualified to work with children.

Example

She works for a big law firm in the city.

Synonyms and related words
work serve collaborate
2.1

if you work a particular area or type of place, you go to that area or to those places as part of your job, for example to try and sell things or to perform there

Example

He worked the clubs long before TV made him famous.

Synonyms and related words
work serve collaborate
3

to operate in a satisfactory way

Example

The new telephone system seems to be working perfectly.

Example

This pen doesn't work.

Example

My brain's not working very well today.

Synonyms and related words
operate come on function
3.1

to operate something such as a machine or piece of equipment

Example

I don't know how to work this thing.

Synonyms and related words
activate actuate coax
4

to succeed

Example

If this plan doesn't work, we'll think of something else.

Example

The strategy seems to be working.

Synonyms and related words
shape up function work out
4.1

to have a particular effect or result

Example

The drug works by blocking the spread of the virus.

Example

Her dazzling performance worked its magic on the audience (=had a good effect on them).

Example

Criticizing your former employer works against you in an interview.

Example

The exchange rate is currently working in the company's favour.

Synonyms and related words
shape impact affect
5

to move gradually from one position to another

Example

The strap of one of her sandals had worked itself loose.

Synonyms and related words
crawl dawdle creep
5.1

to put something into a different position or state

Example

She managed to work one hand free.

Example

He was slowly working himself into a panic.

Synonyms and related words
budge propel guide
6

to shape a substance such as metal in a particular way, especially using tools

Synonyms and related words
shape reshape form card chase chip away
7

if someone works a mine or a quarry, they dig substances such as gold or stone out of it

Synonyms and related words
coal coalface coalfield
8

to prepare land and grow crops on it

Synonyms and related words
arable broadacre cash crop
Synonyms and related words
calculate count estimate
Definition work in British English

Related Words

Words related to work:

a nasty piece of work (phrase) all in a day’s work (phrase) all work and no play (phrase) at work (phrase) to someone’s disadvantage (phrase) case work (noun) do someone’s dirty work (phrase) wonders (phrase) donkey work (noun) a head of steam (phrase) to work (on something) (phrase) hard at work (phrase) have your work cut out (for you) (phrase) in work (phrase) make light work of (doing) something (phrase) make work of someone (phrase) make work of something (phrase) make-work (noun) not do a stroke of work (phrase) out of work (phrase) miracles (phrase) place of (phrase) etc your heart out (phrase) someone into the ground (phrase) sale of work (noun) scheme of work (noun) set someone to work (phrase) set to work (phrase) shift work (noun) someone is a piece of work (phrase) something will not etc (phrase) something would not etc (phrase) the devil work for idle hands (phrase) work (verb) work (noun) work a treat (phrase) work around (phrasal verb) work around to (phrasal verb) work at (phrasal verb) work both ways (phrase) work ethic (noun) work experience (noun) work for someone (phrase) work in (phrasal verb) work it (phrase) work like a charm (phrase) work like a Trojan (phrase) work like magic (phrase) work of art (noun) work off (phrasal verb) work on (phrasal verb) work out (phrasal verb) work over (phrasal verb) work permit (noun) work placement (noun) work the system (phrase) work through (phrasal verb) work to rule (phrase) work towards (phrasal verb) work up (phrasal verb) work up to (phrasal verb) work your butt off (phrase) work your fingers to the bone (phrase) work your magic (on) (phrase) work your socks off (phrase) work your way (phrase) work your way through (phrase) work-life balance (noun) work-release (noun) work-to-rule (noun) etc your socks off (phrase) your guts out (phrase) worktop (noun)