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单词 work
释义

work

/wəːk /
noun [mass noun]
1Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a result: he was tired after a day’s work in the fields...
  • Be it as a player or a coach or otherwise success only comes as a result of hard work and effort.
  • Brilliant breakthroughs can emerge as a result of hard work and disciplined effort.
  • The students must come first: they are the ones who actively do the work and achieve the results.

Synonyms

labour, toil, exertion, effort, slog, drudgery, the sweat of one's brow;
industry;
service
informal grind, sweat, donkey work, spadework, elbow grease
British informal graft, fag
Australian/New Zealand informal yakka
archaic travail, moil
1.1Work as a means of earning income; employment: I’m still looking for work...
  • Tade could turn his hand to any type of work and earned his living from his own expertise.
  • It's for six months which is really good for an actress to get so much work and a steady income.
  • Clarks said it would provide support to employees seeking alternative work.

Synonyms

employment, job, day job, post, position, situation, means of earning one's living, occupation, profession, career, business, trade, line;
vocation, calling
archaic employ
1.2The place where one is employed: I was returning home from work on a packed subway...
  • Three hours later, smoke was seen coming from her door by a person returning from work.
  • Simply mow the grass once a week to provide lush new growth that you can plunge your bare feet into when you return from work.
  • Mrs Jenkins knew nothing about the scam until her bank called one evening when she returned from work.
1.3The period of time one spends in paid employment: he was going to the theatre after work...
  • Flags flew at half-mast and non-essential staff were told not to report for work.
  • He was referring to a woman who worked as a clerk at a police chowky and had not reported for work for days.
  • On the third day, he decided to report for work at the KFC, acting as if nothing had happened.
1.4 [count noun] West Indian A job: I decided to get a work...
  • Now that his show has been suspended, unemployed Chris has picked up his cutlass and is looking for a work.
  • With them movements she was a gwaan wid, she could easily hold a work as a Go Go in any one of our popular night spots.
2A task or tasks to be undertaken: they made sure the work was progressing smoothly...
  • He has done a small number of private commissions but has undertaken no major painting work.
  • It will be strictly not for profit and much of the renovation work will be undertaken by volunteers.
  • Also, is it reasonable to stipulate that no work be undertaken over the weekend?

Synonyms

tasks, jobs, duties, assignments, commissions, projects;
chores
2.1The materials for a task: she frequently took work home with her...
  • Type A people are highly competitive. They typically work long hours and regularly take work home.
  • He is often at the office until 8pm and always brings work home.
  • Instead of taking work with you, spend some time ensuring urgent matters are dealt with before you take your break.
2.2 (in combination or with modifier works) chiefly British Activity involving construction or repair: extra costs caused by additional building works...
  • The railway and road construction works require the removal of land mines strewn across the demilitarized zone.
  • The mobile barriers plus various internal defence construction works will not prevent all flooding indefinitely.
  • The road goes through a number of impoverished regions, and it is hoped that construction works will breathe life into them.
2.3 informal Cosmetic plastic surgery: between you and me, I think he’s had some work done...
  • I think her breasts have definitely had work done.
  • If her face has had a lot of work, then it's probably more likely that all sorts of other things have, too.
  • I think he might be my fave celeb even if he has had a bit of 'work'.
2.4 (works) Theology Good or moral deeds: the Clapham sect was concerned with works rather than with faith...
  • For no matter how good our deeds or works may be, they cannot satisfy God 100%.
  • Indeed, evangelical Christians should be foremost in good deeds and leaders in works of charity.
  • You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
3A thing or things done or made; the result of an action: her work hangs in all the main American collections the bombing had been the work of a German-based cell...
  • Since then her career has developed in opera, concert work, recording and broadcasting.
  • The only living artist to have his work hung in the Natyet resonates with images of his Dublin Bay home.
  • Still, she is hanging my work and will be sainted for it, in a weak moment I might have given her one.

Synonyms

handiwork, doing, act, deed, feat, performance
3.1 [count noun] A literary or musical composition or other piece of art: a work of fiction...
  • Now he is penning plays, musicals and literary works, and his new audience requires a different kind of chap altogether.
  • Her Magnum Opus Project is commissioning nine new orchestral works and six new compositions.
  • The Erotokritos, one of the epic works of Greek literature is told and re-told in much of Cretan music.

Synonyms

composition, piece, creation, achievement, accomplishment;
work of art, opus, oeuvre
3.2 (works) The artistic production of a particular author, composer, or artist, regarded collectively: the works of Schubert fill several feet of shelf space...
  • Leonardo was extremely fastidious, but Nicholl reminds us that his exquisite works were the product of titanic labours.
  • The other principle the artist followed was the artistic value of the works.
  • The Golden Age produced the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer and other Dutch masters.

Synonyms

writings, oeuvre, canon, output
3.3A piece of embroidery, sewing, or knitting, typically made using a specified stitch or method.The chikan work of Lucknow is perhaps one of the most popular embroidery works in India....
  • The back flowed out smoothly around Leira and the veil, when she had it on, fell gracefully from a small silver tiara, a delicate work of spring leaves and dainty frosted lilies.
  • Walker contributed a sewn work entitled Sampler that featured the embroidered text, ‘Wife is a four-letter word’.
4 (works) [treated as singular] chiefly British A place or premises in which industrial or manufacturing processes are carried out: he found a job in the locomotive works...
  • Amicus has members in car plants, factories, chemical works, and across industry.
  • It is time now for more hard work to be done so that this vital manufacturing works can be saved, ensuring that York's past can again become its future.
  • There had been some concern expressed about the safety of the site, which had previously been a coal mine, an oil refinery and a chemical works.

Synonyms

factory, plant, manufacturing complex, mill, foundry, yard, industrial unit, business unit;
workshop, shop
5 (works) The operative part of a clock or other machine: she could almost hear the tick of its works...
  • His body had already begun to break down and he was virtually a being of energy as he ricocheted into the works of the clock.
  • The fumes of the kerosene loosen the dirt, which falls into the cotton wool, leaving the works of the clock clean.
  • It is not necessary to remove the L bracket from the works of the clock.

Synonyms

mechanism, machinery, workings, working parts, parts, movement, action
informal innards, insides
6 [count noun] (usually works) Military A defensive structure: just north of the fort were trenches and the freshly reconstructed patriot siege works...
  • This is manifested in the elaborate defensive works of banks and ditches erected to fortify dominating hilltops.
  • Many of these later military works can be seen, including secret wartime tunnel systems.
  • On the left bank of the river, the works lie north of the present city of Samarra, which is a walled city.
7 Physics The exertion of force overcoming resistance or producing molecular change.The walker's muscles must do this amount of work, to replace the lost kinetic energy, in every step....
  • For example, if you push on a box (apply a force) and it moves three feet, work has been performed BY you to the box, while work has been performed ON the box.
  • So lifting a flea a small distance is more work than holding a heavy weight stationary.
8 (the works) informal Everything needed, desired, or expected: the heavens put on a show: sheet lightning, hailstones, the works...
  • And it was attended by President and Ladybird Johnson, so I figured, you know, such an important occasion, I better give them the works, right?
  • We have the works: pedicure, nails painted, eyelashes tinted, highlights.
  • Did he give you the works? The flowers, the kisses, knew all the right things to say?

Synonyms

everything, the full treatment
informal everything but the kitchen sink, the lot, the whole shooting match, the whole (kit and) caboodle, the whole shebang, the whole nine yards
British informal the full monty
North American informal the whole ball of wax
verb (past and past participle worked or archaic wrought) [no object]
1Be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a result; do work: an engineer who was working on a design for a more efficient wing new contracts forcing employees to work longer hours...
  • Some of this is the result of efforts by the town council and some is the result of the council working with others to achieve them.
  • We have been working on it but maybe we are working with players who are slow to pick up on it.
  • He worked and enjoyed different things than going out and working on the tennis.
1.1Be employed in a specified occupation or field: he worked as a waiter in a rather shabby restaurant...
  • Frank worked in the Paper Mills and Waterford Crystal for a number of years and for the last few years he worked as a taxi driver.
  • I've never ever worked in an office before, I've only ever worked as a waitress.
  • He worked as a ranger employed by the council at the Flitch Way Country Park, which runs from Bishop's Stortford to Braintree.

Synonyms

be employed, have a job, earn one's living, hold down a job, do business, follow/ply one's trade
1.2 [with object] Set to or keep at work: Jane is working you too hard...
  • He works Miles hard and does all the thinking for Angus, who, right from the beginning, is seen to be a few straws short of a bale.
  • He was demanding as a director, but I wouldn't agree that he worked you too hard.
  • The rich, throat-catching smell of hard worked packhorses hit me even as I drew in a sharp gasp of amazement.
1.3 [with object] Practise one’s occupation in or at (a particular place): I worked a few clubs and so forth...
  • Men were busy working on architecture or training in the army while young ladies worked the market place.
  • Nobody that has ever worked the killing room will ever tell you that you will catch every one, no matter how hard you try.
  • One of six children, his father worked a small farm and laboured for the county council to make ends meet.
1.4 [with object] West Indian Be engaged in (a particular occupation): I worked fireman on ships
2(Of a machine or system) function, especially properly or effectively: his phone doesn’t work unless he goes to a high point...
  • So many of our institutions and systems are not working properly, including the judiciary.
  • But even at the highest levels there is a tacit acknowledgment that the system is not working properly.
  • Walhi's lawyers, however, said the early warning system had not worked properly.

Synonyms

function, go, run, operate, perform;
be in working order
informal behave
2.1(With reference to a machine or machine part) be or cause to be in operation: [no object]: the device is designed to go into a special ‘rest’ state when it’s not working [with object]: teaching customers how to work a VCR...
  • He looked back at the counter where a blonde haired girl was busy working the machines.
  • Women snigger at men for being unable to work a washing machine, men snigger at women for being bad drivers.
  • Before the advent of the computer I worked a manual Comptometer machine, the keys of which had to be pounded.

Synonyms

operate, use, handle, control, manipulate, manoeuvre, drive, run, direct;
ply, wield
3(Of a plan or method) have the desired result or effect: the desperate ploy had worked...
  • This method works only with insurance plans that use coinsurance, where patients pay a portion of their bills until they reach a maximum.
  • This method works if the water reservoir in the top 5 feet of soil is at or near field capacity at planting time.
  • In both cases the game plan worked, and McClaren admitted that the result was a huge relief.
3.1 [with object] Produce as a result: with a dash of blusher here and there, you can work miracles...
  • The miracle has been wrought by recognising health as a human right - and therefore the responsibility of the state - and acting accordingly.
  • For Hugh, a 22-year-old IT worker, has wrought a minor miracle.
  • Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed and signs and wonders will follow the believers.

Synonyms

bring about, accomplish, achieve, produce, do, perform, carry out, implement, execute, create, engender, contrive, effect
3.2Make efforts to achieve something; campaign: an organization working for a better life for people with mental illness...
  • Both local authorities say they are committed to working for better transport links and these efforts must continue.
  • By adding borrowed money to your own funds you can increase the total amount of money working for you.
  • But just because they are in Canada does not mean they have stopped working for the Burmese people.
3.3 (work on/upon) Exert influence or persuasion on: she worked upon the sympathy of her associates...
  • In that moment, I became absurdly sure that a supernatural force was working upon me, pushing and pulling me toward an unknown fate, a road at whose end stood the slight, cold figure currently bargaining with my father.
  • Some occult influence was at work upon me throughout those dark hours, I am positively certain.
  • At this late stage, the elites found themselves forced to work upon the increasingly dysfunctional myths.

Synonyms

persuade, manipulate, influence, sway, put pressure on, lean on;
coax, cajole, wheedle, soften up
informal twist someone's arm, put the squeeze on
3.4 [with object] Use one’s persuasive power to stir the emotions of: the born politician’s art of working a crowd...
  • He is brilliant when he works the crowd with his radio mike.
  • Another person who could be seen working the crowd was director Jayaraj.
  • Christine Caughey and Richard Simpson turned up to have a peek at our meeting and our working the crowd.
4 [with object and adverbial or complement] Bring (a material or mixture) to a desired shape or consistency by hammering, kneading, etc. work the mixture into a paste with your hands...
  • Using your fingers, draw in the flour and work the mixture into a dough, adding more water if necessary.
  • Sift the flour with the baking powder into the bowl and work the mixture with your hand until it forms a firm dough.
  • Then the mixture is worked, gently at first, and then more vigorously.

Synonyms

knead, squeeze, form, shape, fashion, mould, model;
mix, stir, blend
4.1 [no object] (work in) Produce artistic pieces using (a particular material or medium): he works in clay over a very strong frame...
  • The limner was never solely a miniaturist, but worked in other formats and media too.
  • Dr. Bob works in cypress, training trees over many years to grow in specific shapes.
  • As well as using clear, sandblasted glass, Kelly works in cheery yellow and orange.
4.2 [with object] Produce (an article or design) using a specified material or sewing stitch: the castle itself is worked in tent stitch...
  • I'm sure you could work some neat designs into the building front using the colour differences.
  • I'm working these on 72 stitches, using some Regia Shadow that was in my stash.
  • Beautifully worked stitches feature in many examples of white work in children's dresses and gowns.
4.3 [with object] Cultivate (land) or extract materials from (a mine or quarry): contracts and leases to work the mines...
  • Gilberth explains how his practices have changed even in the few years he's worked this land.
  • Mr Spargo took shares in a company formed for working a mine which he sold to the company.
  • This may well have been the case but the company only worked the mine for a short time during which several thousand tons of ore were treated.

Synonyms

cultivate, farm, till, plough;
exploit
5Move or cause to move gradually or with difficulty into another position: [with object and adverbial or complement]: comb hair from tip to root, working out the knots at the end [no object, with adverbial or complement]: look for small parts that might work loose...
  • He sewed me up again and told me if they worked loose again, that I shouldn't be concerned, because I was healing very quickly.
  • Several of my toes commenced to blacken and fester near the tips and the nails worked loose.
  • Our advice is to secure it very firmly, be conservative with your speed and make frequent stops to ensure it isn't working loose.

Synonyms

manoeuvre, manipulate, negotiate, guide, edge
manoeuvre, make, thread, wind, weave
5.1 [no object] (Of a person’s features) move violently or convulsively: hair wild, mouth working furiously...
  • Her mouth worked furiously trying to come up some excuse for her outburst.
  • Rena was gaping like a fish, her mouth working furiously but she didn't emit a single word.
  • Her other hand is at the back of my head now, her jaw working as if my mouth is a pulpy piece of fruit she's eating.

Synonyms

twitch, quiver, twist, move spasmodically, convulse
5.2 [no object, with adverbial] Sailing Make progress to windward, with repeated tacking: trying to work to windward in light airs...
  • A weatherly ship is one that works well to windward, making but little leeway.
6 [with object] Bring into a specified emotional state: Harold had worked himself into a minor rage...
  • Finally I had worked myself into a state of hysterics so much so that I could not breathe.
  • Everybody's working themselves into a lather over one mad cow, and it's bloody ridiculous.
  • I agree with Mr. Jenkins, I think you can work yourself into a state of real paranoia here if you're not careful.

Synonyms

stir (up), excite, drive, move, spur, rouse, fire, galvanize;
whip up, inflame, incite, agitate

Phrases

all work and no play (makes Jack a dull boy)

at work

give someone the works

have one's work cut out

in the works

make hard work of

out of work

set to work (or set someone to work)

a spanner (or monkey wrench) in the works

the work of ——

work one's ass (butt, etc.) off

work one's fingers to the bone

work to rule

work one's way up

work one's passage

work one's way through university (or college, etc.)

work one's will on/upon

work the streets

work wonders

Phrasal verbs

work back

work something in

work something off

work out

work someone out

work something out

work someone over

work to

work up to

work someone up

work something up

Derivatives

workless

adjective ...
  • They live in whole streets of workless households and it is hard to try and leave that behind.
  • Without substantial investment, the Government will not achieve its stated aims of ending child poverty and reducing the number of workless families, it says.
  • Instead by bringing workless people closer to the labour market and making them more effective at competing for jobs, total employment can be increased.

worklessness

noun ...
  • For too long, council estates have experienced a culture of worklessness.
  • We are today announcing a radical move to tackle worklessness.
  • Click here to download data about concentrations of worklessness in your area.

Origin

Old English weorc (noun), wyrcan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch werk and German Werk, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek ergon.

  • Work is connected with the Greek word ergon, which is the source of energy (late 16th century), ergonomic [1950s], and surgeon. Wrought, meaning ‘made in a particular way’ and found in wrought iron (early 18th century), is the old past form of work, which people used where we now use worked. Wright, a common surname that means ‘maker’ and is found in words such as shipwright (Old English) and wheelwright (Middle English), is also closely related to work. The first workaholic was mentioned in 1968. Since then we have had chocaholics and shopaholics, but the first word to be formed in this way from alcoholic was foodaholic, in 1965. The dictum ‘Work expands so as to fill the time available’ is known as Parkinson's law. It was first expressed by Professor C. Northcote Parkinson in 1955. Much older is the proverb All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, which is first found in 1659. See also devil

Rhymes

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更新时间:2024/9/24 2:24:28