work
wurk
Work (noun) means a job or occupation; the activity someone does to earn a living. Example: “She left for work at seven every morning.”
noun
1
A job or occupation; the activity someone does to earn a living.
"She left for work at seven every morning."
"He's been out of work since the factory closed."
"Her work involves teaching adults how to read and write."
2
Effort put into a task, especially something demanding or difficult.
"Renovating the house took months of hard work."
"Learning a language takes a lot of work, but it is worth it."
"It was hard work carrying the shopping up four flights of stairs."
3
Something produced through creative or intellectual effort, such as a book, painting, or piece of music.
"The gallery is exhibiting new work by local artists."
"The museum displays the early work of a famous painter."
"This novel is the best work the author has ever published."
verb
1
To do a job or perform labor.
"He works at the hospital three nights a week."
"She works from home most Fridays."
"My uncle works as a plumber and often starts before dawn."
2
To function properly or have the intended effect.
"The new phone charger works perfectly."
"Their marketing plan actually worked."
"The lift doesn't work, so we have to use the stairs."
How to use work
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a job/effort, or (as a verb) to labor at something or to function correctly.
Common pairings
go to work
hard work
work overtime
work well
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Word forms
- Plural
- works
- Third person singular
- works
- Past tense
- worked, wrought
- Archaic forms
- workest, workedst, worketh
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She left for _____ at seven every morning.
Etymology
From Old English "weorc," from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to make" — the same root that gives us "energy" and "organ."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for work
See all rhymes for 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.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing work in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
But after a week's work experience placement at Whipsnade Zoo, in Bedfordshire, her outlook could not be more different.
From
BBC News · Jul 25, 2026
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