work
1 antonyms and opposites of work, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A job or occupation; the activity someone does to earn a living.
Antonyms
How to use work
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English "weorc," from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to make" — the same root that gives us "energy" and "organ."
Full origin of work →Frequently asked questions
What does “work” mean?
The word “work” means a job or occupation; the activity someone does to earn a living. In plain terms, either a job/effort, or (as a verb) to labor at something or to function correctly.
How do you pronounce “work”?
“Work” is pronounced wurk (/wɝk/ in IPA).
How do you use “work” in a sentence?
Here is “work” used in a sentence: “She left for work at seven every morning.”
What is another word for “work”?
Words with a similar meaning to “work” include effort, exertion, pains and wark.
What is the opposite of “work”?
The opposite of “work” — its antonyms — is hobby.
What part of speech is “work”?
Depending on how it is used, “work” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “work” come from?
The word “work” comes from Old English. From Old English "weorc," from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to make" — the same root that gives us "energy" and "organ.".
Is “work” a common word?
“Work” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between work and a job?
A job is a specific paid position — you can have one job or several, and you can count them. Work is the broader, uncountable activity of doing that job or any effort to earn a living. So you 'go to work' (the activity) at your 'job' (the post), and you cannot say 'a work' to mean a job.
What is the difference between work and a career?
Work is what you do day to day to earn money; a career is the longer arc of your working life — the profession you build and progress in over years. A part-time weekend job is work, but a career suggests direction, growth, and a chosen field pursued over time.
Is 'work' countable or uncountable?
In the sense of a job or employment, work is uncountable — you say 'I have a lot of work' or 'I am looking for work,' never 'a work' or 'three works.' To count, switch to job: 'two jobs.' (Work does become countable when it means a creation, as in 'a work of art.')
What is an example of 'work' as a noun?
Work in this sense appears in phrases like 'She is at work,' 'He is looking for work,' or 'What kind of work do you do?' Each refers to paid activity or employment in general — the effort someone puts in, or the job they hold, to earn a living.