working Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun a mine or quarry that is being or has been worked
   workings.
   
2. verb exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
   work.
   
   • I will work hard to improve my grades
   • she worked hard for better living conditions for the poor
3. verb be employed
   do work; work.
   
   • 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
4. verb have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
   work; act.
   
   • 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
5. verb perform as expected when applied
   function; go; work; run; operate.
   
   • 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
6. verb shape, form, or improve a material
   process; work on; work.
   
   • work stone into tools
   • process iron
   • work the metal
7. verb give a workout to
   work; work out; exercise.
   
   • Some parents exercise their infants
   • My personal trainer works me hard
   • work one's muscles
   • this puzzle will exercise your mind
8. verb proceed along a path
   make; work.
   
   • work one's way through the crowd
   • make one's way into the forest
9. verb operate in a certain place, area, or specialty
   work.
   
   • She works the night clubs
   • The salesman works the Midwest
   • This artist works mostly in acrylics
10. verb proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity
    work.
    
    • 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
11. verb move in an agitated manner
    work.
    
    • His fingers worked with tension
12. verb cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
    bring; play; work; wreak; make for.
    
    • I cannot work a miracle
    • wreak havoc
    • bring comments
    • play a joke
    • The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
13. verb cause to work
    work; put to work.
    
    • he is working his servants hard
14. verb prepare for crops
    cultivate; work; crop.
    
    • Work the soil
    • cultivate the land
15. verb behave in a certain way when handled
    work.
    
    • This dough does not work easily
    • The soft metal works well
16. verb have and exert influence or effect
    work; influence; act upon.
    
    • The artist's work influenced the young painter
    • She worked on her friends to support the political candidate
17. verb operate in or through
    work.
    
    • Work the phones
18. verb cause to operate or function
    work.
    
    • This pilot works the controls
    • Can you work an electric drill?
19. verb provoke or excite
    work.
    
    • The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy
20. verb gratify and charm, usually in order to influence
    work.
    
    • the political candidate worked the crowds
21. verb make something, usually for a specific function
    mould; form; work; shape; forge; mold.
    
    • She molded the rice balls carefully
    • Form cylinders from the dough
    • shape a figure
    • Work the metal into a sword
22. verb move into or onto
    work.
    
    • work the raisins into the dough
    • the student worked a few jokes into his presentation
    • work the body onto the flatbed truck
23. verb make uniform
    knead; work.
    
    • knead dough
    • work the clay until it is soft
24. verb use or manipulate to one's advantage
    exploit; work.
    
    • He exploit the new taxation system
    • She knows how to work the system
    • he works his parents for sympathy
25. verb find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
    lick; work out; work; puzzle out; solve; figure out.
    
    • 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
26. verb cause to undergo fermentation
    ferment; work.
    
    • We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content
    • The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats
27. verb go sour or spoil
    ferment; turn; sour; work.
    
    • The milk has soured
    • The wine worked
    • The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
28. verb arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion
    work.
    
    • The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times
29. adjective satellite actively engaged in paid work
    on the job.
    
    • the working population
    • the ratio of working men to unemployed
    • a working mother
    • robots can be on the job day and night
30. adjective satellite adequate for practical use; especially sufficient in strength or numbers to accomplish something
    
    • the party has a working majority in the House
    • a working knowledge of Spanish
31. adjective satellite adopted as a temporary basis for further work
    
    • a working draft
    • a working hypothesis
32. adjective satellite (of e.g. a machine) performing or capable of performing
    running; functional; operative.
    
    • in running (or working) order
    • a functional set of brakes
33. adjective satellite serving to permit or facilitate further work or activity
    
    • discussed the working draft of a peace treaty
    • they need working agreements with their neighbor states on interstate projects

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