work
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
How often you will meet it
Rank 221 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 102,880 times across 155,168 chapters — 0.049% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 500 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
verb
- exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity I will work hard to improve my gradesshe worked hard for better living conditions for the poor
- be employed also: do work Is your husband working again?My wife never worked
- have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected also: act The voting process doesn't work as well as people thoughtHow does your idea work in practice?
- perform as expected when applied also: function, operate, go, run The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged inDoes this old car still run well?
- shape, form, or improve a material also: work on, process work stone into toolsprocess iron
- give a workout to also: exercise, work out Some parents exercise their infantsMy personal trainer works me hard
work in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Very little children have sometimes done remarkable work in the plays.
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1
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I expect to get some pupils in the neighbourhood, and also some literary work.
The Betrayal · E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim · Chapter 1
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Diversity of opinion about a work of art shows that the work is new, complex, and vital.
The Picture of Dorian Gray · Oscar Wilde · Chapter 1
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At once the boy went to work on his neglected corn-bread and fish, but the girl left hers untouched where they lay.
The Heart of the Hills · John, Jr. Fox · Chapter 1
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No fireworks for him, perhaps, ever, but, by Jove, work and will could do a lot, and he could prove himself worthy.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1