noun
hard work
HARD WURK
Hard work (noun) means Sustained effort that demands real energy, concentration or persistence. Example: “The garden took two years of hard work.”
noun
1
Sustained effort that demands real energy, concentration or persistence.
"The garden took two years of hard work."
"There is no shortcut; it comes down to hard work."
2
informal Something or someone that is tiring and difficult to deal with.
"That meeting was hard work from start to finish."
"He's lovely, but he can be hard work on a long journey."
How to use hard work
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPutting in a lot of effort.
When to use it
Neutral; the person sense is informal and British-leaning.
Memory tip
Two words as a noun, one word as the adjective hardworking.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hard work pays off
years of hard work
put in the hard work
sheer hard work
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like hard work.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The garden took two years of _____.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
Is hard work countable or uncountable?
Uncountable. You say a lot of hard work or years of hard work, never two hard works. It takes a singular verb: hard work pays off.
What is the difference between hard work and hardship?
Hard work is effort you put in, often willingly and with a goal in mind. Hardship is suffering you undergo, such as poverty or illness, and nobody chooses it.
Can a person be described as hard work?
Yes, informally, and it is not a compliment. Calling someone hard work means they are draining company: demanding, touchy or hard to hold a conversation with.
What is the meaning of hard work?
"hard work" (noun) means sustained effort that demands real energy, concentration or persistence.
