Idioms for work

Origin of work

before 900; (noun) Middle English worke, Old English worc, replacing Middle English werk(e), Old English weorc, cognate with Old Frisian, Old Saxon werk, Old High German werah, werc (German Werk), Old Norse verk, Greek érgon; (v.) Middle English worken, derivative of the noun, replacing Middle English wyrchen, Old English wyrcean; cognate with German wirken, Old Norse verkja, Gothic waurkjan

SYNONYMS FOR work

1 Work, drudgery, labor, toil refer to exertion of body or mind in performing or accomplishing something. Work is the general word and may apply to exertion that is either easy or hard: fun work; heavy work. Drudgery suggests continuous, dreary, and dispiriting work, especially of a menial or servile kind: the drudgery of household tasks. Labor particularly denotes hard manual work: labor on a farm, in a steel mill. Toil suggests wearying or exhausting labor: toil that breaks down the worker's health.
5 enterprise, project, job, responsibility.
2 industry, occupation, business.
3 job, trade, calling, vocation, profession.
7 product, achievement, feat.
16 toil, drudge.
28 operate, manipulate, handle.
29 accomplish, effect, produce, achieve.
34 finish, form, shape.
38 move.

OTHER WORDS FROM work

non·work, noun pre·work, verb, pre·worked or pre·wrought, pre·work·ing. pre·work, noun, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for work out (1 of 2)

work out

verb (adverb)

noun work-out

a session of physical exercise, esp for training or practice

British Dictionary definitions for work out (2 of 2)

work
/ (wɜːk) /

noun

verb

Derived forms of work

workless, adjective worklessness, noun

Word Origin for work

Old English weorc (n), wircan, wyrcan (vb); related to Old High German wurchen, German wirken, Old Norse yrkja, Gothic waurkjan

Scientific definitions for work out

work
[ wûrk ]

The transfer of energy from one object to another, especially in order to make the second object move in a certain direction. Work is equal to the amount of force multiplied by the distance over which it is applied. If a force of 10 newtons, for example, is applied over a distance of 3 meters, the work is equal to 30 newtons per meter, or 30 joules. The unit for measuring work is the same as that for energy in any system of units, since work is simply a transfer of energy. Compare energy power.

Cultural definitions for work out

work

In physics, the product of a force applied, and the distance through which that force acts.

Idioms and Phrases with work out (1 of 2)

work out

1

Accomplish by work or effort, as in I think we can work out a solution to this problem. [1500s] For work out all right, see turn out all right.

2

Find a solution for, solve, as in They hoped to work out their personal differences, or Can you help me work out this equation? [Mid-1800s]

3

Formulate or develop, as in We were told to work out a new plan, or He's very good at working out complicated plots. [Early 1800s]

4

Discharge a debt by working instead of paying money, as in She promised she'd work out the rest of the rent by baby-sitting for them. [Second half of 1600s]

5

Prove effective or successful, as in I wonder if their marriage will work out.

6

Have a specific result, add up, as in It worked out that she was able to go to the party after all, or The total works out to more than a million. [Late 1800s]

7

Engage in strenuous exercise for physical conditioning, as in He works out with weights every other day. [1920s]

8

Exhaust a resource, such as a mine, as in This mine has been completely worked out. [Mid-1500s]

Idioms and Phrases with work out (2 of 2)

work