n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: worked \ ' w ə rkt \ or wrought \ ' ro ̇ t \ ; work · ing
Etymology: Middle English werken, worken, from Old English wyrcan; akin to Old English weorc
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 : to bring to pass : EFFECT < work miracles>
2 a : to fashion or create a useful or desired product by expending labor or exertion on : FORGE , SHAPE < work flint into tools> b : to make or decorate with needlework especially : EMBROIDER
3 a : to prepare for use by stirring or kneading b : to bring into a desired form by a gradual process of cutting, hammering, scraping, pressing, or stretching < work cold steel>
4 : to set or keep in motion, operation, or activity : cause to operate or produce <a pump work ed by hand> < work farmland>
5 : to solve (a problem) by reasoning or calculation ― often used with out
6 a : to cause to toil or labor < work ed their horses nearly to death> b : to make use of : EXPLOIT c : to control or guide the operation of <switches are work ed from a central tower>
7 a : to carry on an operation or perform a job through, at, in, or along <the peddler work ed the corner> <a sportscaster hired to work the game> b : to greet and talk with in a friendly way in order to ingratiate oneself or achieve a purpose <politicians work ing the crowd> < work ed the room>
8 : to pay for or achieve with labor or service < work ed my way through college> < work ed my way up in the company>
9 a : to get (oneself or an object) into or out of a condition or position by gradual stages b : CONTRIVE , ARRANGE <we can work it so that you can take your vacation>
10 a : to practice trickery or cajolery on for some end < work ed the management for a free ticket> b : EXCITE , PROVOKE < work ed myself into a rage>
intransitive verb
1 a : to exert oneself physically or mentally especially in sustained effort for a purpose or under compulsion or necessity b : to perform or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or continuous repeated operations < work ed all day over a hot stove> c : to perform work or fulfill duties regularly for wages or salary < work s in publishing>
2 : to function or operate according to plan or design <hinges work better with oil>
3 : to exert an influence or tendency
4 : to produce a desired effect or result : SUCCEED <a plan that will work >
5 a : to make way slowly and with difficulty : move or progress laboriously < work ed up to the presidency> b : to sail to windward
6 : to permit of being worked : react in a specified way to being worked <this wood work s easily>
7 a : to be in agitation or restless motion b : FERMENT 1 c : to move slightly in relation to another part d : to get into a specified condition by slow or imperceptible movements <the knot work ed loose>
– work on
1 : AFFECT < worked on my sympathies>
2 : to strive to influence or persuade
– work upon : to have effect upon : operate on