noun Uncommon

groundwork

Groundwork (noun) means the basic preparatory work that everything else is built on. Example: “She spent months laying the groundwork for the merger before announcing it publicly.”

noun

The basic preparatory work that everything else is built on.

"She spent months laying the groundwork for the merger before announcing it publicly."

"The early research laid the groundwork for later breakthroughs in the field."

How to use groundwork

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe essential early preparation that makes later success possible.

Common pairings

lay the groundwork do the groundwork

Word forms

groundworks plural

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She spent months laying the _____ for the merger before announcing it publicly.

Etymology

A compound of ground and work, literally the work done on or forming the ground/foundation of something.

Synonyms

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base basis foot foundation cornerstone fundament substructure understructure

Related words

found bad cause reason base station focus feet

Frequently asked questions

What does “groundwork” mean?

The word “groundwork” means the basic preparatory work that everything else is built on. In plain terms, the essential early preparation that makes later success possible.

How do you use “groundwork” in a sentence?

Here is “groundwork” used in a sentence: “She spent months laying the groundwork for the merger before announcing it publicly.”

What part of speech is “groundwork”?

“Groundwork” is a noun.

Is “groundwork” a common word?

“Groundwork” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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