I. ˈjäb noun
Etymology: perhaps from obsolete English job lump
Date: circa 1627
1.
a. : a piece of work ; especially : a small miscellaneous piece of work undertaken on order at a stated rate
b. : the object or material on which work is being done
c. : something produced by or as if by work
do a better job next time
d. : an example of a usually specified type : item
a 14,000-square-foot job with…seven bedrooms — Rick Telander
2.
a. : something done for private advantage
suspected the whole incident was a put-up job
b. : a criminal enterprise ; specifically : robbery
c. : a damaging or destructive bit of work
did a job on him
3.
a.
(1) : something that has to be done : task
(2) : an undertaking requiring unusual exertion
it was a real job to talk over that noise
b. : a specific duty, role, or function
c. : a regular remunerative position
d. chiefly British : state of affairs — usually used with bad or good
it was a good job you didn't hit the old man — E. L. Thomas
4. : plastic surgery for cosmetic purposes
a nose job
Synonyms: see task
•
- on the job
II. verb
( jobbed ; job·bing )
Date: 1694
intransitive verb
1. : to do odd or occasional pieces of work for hire
2. : to carry on public business for private gain
3. : to carry on the business of a middleman or wholesaler
transitive verb
1. : to buy and sell (as stock) for profit : speculate
2. : to hire or let by the job or for a period of service
3. : to get, deal with, or effect by jobbery
4. : to do or cause to be done by separate portions or lots : subcontract — often used with out
5. : to penalize or deprive unfairly
III. adjective
Date: 1710
1. British : that is for hire for a given service or period
2. : used in, engaged in, or done as job work
a job shop
3. : of or relating to a job or to employment
a guarantee of job security