Read the dictionary definition of work. All definitions for this word.
1. activity directed toward making or doing something
1. she checked several points needing further work
2. the occupation for which you are paid
1. he is looking for employment
2. a lot of people are out of work
3. the total output of a writer or artist (or a substantial part of it)
1. he studied the entire Wagnerian oeuvre
2. Picasso's work can be divided into periods
4. a product produced or accomplished through the effort or activity or agency of a person or thing
1. it is not regarded as one of his more memorable works
2. the symphony was hailed as an ingenious work
3. he was indebted to the pioneering work of John Dewey
4. the work of an active imagination
5. erosion is the work of wind or water over time
5. a place where work is done
1. he arrived at work early today
6. applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading)
1. mastering a second language requires a lot of work
2. no schools offer graduate study in interior design
7. (physics) a manifestation of energy; the transfer of energy from one physical system to another expressed as the product of a force and the distance through which it moves a body in the direction of that force
1. work equals force times distance
8. give a workout to
1. Some parents exercise their infants
2. My personal trainer works me hard
3. work one's muscles
4. this puzzle will exercise your mind
9. arrive at a certain condition through repeated motion
1. The stitches of the hem worked loose after she wore the skirt many times
10. go sour or spoil
1. The milk has soured
2. The wine worked
3. The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
11. cause to undergo fermentation
1. We ferment the grapes for a very long time to achieve high alcohol content
2. The vintner worked the wine in big oak vats
12. find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
1. did you solve the problem?
2. Work out your problems with the boss
3. this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out
4. did you get it?
5. Did you get my meaning?
6. He could not work the math problem
13. use or manipulate to one's advantage
1. He exploit the new taxation system
2. She knows how to work the system
3. he works his parents for sympathy
14. make uniform
1. knead dough
2. work the clay until it is soft
15. perform as expected when applied
1. The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in
2. Does this old car still run well?
3. This old radio doesn't work anymore
16. move into or onto
1. work the raisins into the dough
2. the student worked a few jokes into his presentation
3. work the body onto the flatbed truck
17. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
1. I cannot work a miracle
2. wreak havoc
3. bring comments
4. play a joke
5. The rain brought relief to the drought-stricken area
18. make something, usually for a specific function
1. She molded the rice balls carefully
2. Form cylinders from the dough
3. shape a figure
4. Work the metal into a sword
19. shape, form, or improve a material
1. work stone into tools
2. process iron
3. work the metal
20. prepare for crops
1. Work the soil
2. cultivate the land
21. gratify and charm, usually in order to influence
1. the political candidate worked the crowds
22. move in an agitated manner
1. His fingers worked with tension
23. proceed along a path
1. work one's way through the crowd
2. make one's way into the forest
24. provoke or excite
1. The rock musician worked the crowd of young girls into a frenzy
25. proceed towards a goal or along a path or through an activity
1. work your way through every problem or task
2. She was working on her second martini when the guests arrived
3. Start from the bottom and work towards the top
26. cause to work
1. he is working his servants hard
27. be employed
1. Is your husband working again?
2. My wife never worked
3. Do you want to work after the age of 60?
4. She never did any work because she inherited a lot of money
5. She works as a waitress to put herself through college
28. exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
1. I will work hard to improve my grades
2. she worked hard for better living conditions for the poor
29. cause to operate or function
1. This pilot works the controls
2. Can you work an electric drill?
30. operate in or through
1. Work the phones
See also:
Merriam-Webster definition of work